Former Indian cricketer, Mohammad Kaif expressed his opinion of the phenomenal rise of the Indian women’s cricket team in the past three years, especially, after Harmapreet Kaur played a match-winning knock of 171 runs in the semi-final of the 50-over Women’s World Cup in 2017. On this day three years ago, Kaur smashed 171 runs off just 115 balls against Australia at the County Ground in Derby and helped the women in blue to reach the final of the tournament.
Tweeting about the same, Kaif said, “Three years back, on this day, Harmanpreet Kaur hit 171* (115) v Australia in World Cup semi-final. Quality innings under pressure. The rise of Indian women’s cricket in the past three years has been phenomenal @ImHarmanpreet”.
Three years back, on this day, Harmanpreet Kaur hit 171*(115) v Australia in World Cup semi-final. Quality innings under pressure. The rise of Indian women’s cricket in the past three years has been phenomenal @ImHarmanpreet pic.twitter.com/6fy8IqvLNX
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 20, 2020
After winning the toss, Indian women’s skipper Mithali Raj decided to bat first in the 42-over per-side game, due to the delayed start of early rain. Indian women did not have a good start as both the openers were dismissed on just 35 runs on the board (35/2). Since then, Harmanpreet played a massive knock and provided some crucial partnerships that helped the team to put a good total on the board.
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At first, Kaur had a 66-run partnership for the third wicket with the skipper Mithali Raj (36). Then Deepti Sharma (25) had a 137-run partnership with Kaur for the fourth wicket and Veda Krishnamurthy (16*) had a furious unbroken 43-run partnership with Kaur for the fifth wicket.
While Indian women scored 281/4 at the end of 42 overs, Kaur scored a brilliant century and was not out on 171 off 116 balls with 20 fours and 7 sixes. None of the Aussie bowlers was able to pick more than one wicket in that innings. In reply, Australia women had not a good start as they were 21/3. While Ellyse Perry (38) and Elyse Villani (75) helped the Aussie team to make a comeback in the game, Alex Blackwell fought till the end of the game.
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After the 105-run fourth-wicket partnership between Perry and Villani was broken, Australia women suffered a major batting collapse as they went down to 169/9 in 32.3 overs.
