India eves led by Mithali Raj ousted Australia by 36 runs to seal a spot for themselves in the all-important final of the Women’s World Cup. Initially it seemed rain will play spoilsport at Derby, a ground team India were acquainted with, not Australia. But then then the rains stopped and it was decided that it would be a 42 overs match. India batted first and put on a healthy 282 in their quota of 42 overs. Australia in reply to this started off in the worst possible manner. The lost Mooney early and then the big fish Meg Lanning too perished for a duck. But Australia fought and fought hard to make a match out of it. The came close but fell short by 36 runs.
So, here are the reasons why India defeated the defending champions, despite getting thrashed by them in the league stage:
Harmanpreet tore the Aussie attack: Yes, we may have not got to see Kapil Dev’s 175 but we were lucky to witness one of the most memorable knocks played by an Indian in the knockout stage of a World tournament. Harmanpreet scored an unbeaten 171 off 115 balls. Her innings was studded with 7 sixes and 20 fours.
Able support from Mithali, Krishnamurthy and Deepti: The trio may not have got the big scores but their partnerships with Harmanpreet allowed her space to play her natural game. To start off Mithali and Harmanpreet got a century stand after the openers failed. The Deepti and Harmanpreet got a belligerent 100 runs partnership. Finally, it was Veda’s late order flourish with Harmanpreet that set it up for India.
ICYMI – Watch the highlights from @ImHarmanpreet‘s stunning 171* for India! #WWC17
WATCH: https://t.co/hvP4UDuVxf pic.twitter.com/qiKhPqkbxF— ICC (@ICC) July 21, 2017
Indian pacers tear Aussie top order: Shikha Pandey and the very experienced Jhulan Goswami got the proceedings underway with the ball. The kept bowling wicket to wicket and Shikha struck soon. That was followed by Jhulan cleaning up Lanning for a duck. The two early blows really meant that the defending champions were always behind the game.
What a semi-final we had today! Watch the highlights as @BCCIWomen beat @SouthernStars to reach the #WWC17 final!https://t.co/mR9XiTtzz7 pic.twitter.com/d81ehNdqoL
— ICC (@ICC) July 20, 2017
Spinners delivered, too: The Indian spinners, especially Deepti Sharma picked up a 3-fer to set the defending champions back. Gayakwad and Poonam also chipped in with a wicket apiece.
WATCH – the innings which has got VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble gripped to #WWC17. Spectacular! https://t.co/hvP4UDuVxf pic.twitter.com/jMoN6m66Iz
— ICC (@ICC) July 20, 2017
Collective unision: What we saw yesterday was collectively coming together to deliver the goods. The batting fired and that was ably backed by the bowling and the fielding that made sure India make it to the finals.
India are going to the @HomeOfCricket for the #WWC17 final after defeating Australia in Derby! #AUSvIND
REPORT: https://t.co/C6UnegF602 pic.twitter.com/Yh8g5Hed2A
— ICC (@ICC) July 20, 2017
Copyright © 2024 IE Online Media Services Private Ltd. All Rights Reserved.