Internet Desk: A blitzkrieg knock from Harmanpreet Kaur helped India edge Australia out of the ICC Women’s World Cup at Derby on Thursday. The six times champions Australians were beaten by 36 runs by Mithali Raj and her team. India will now face hosts England in the final at Lords on Sunday.
It was Kaur’s knock that set the platform for a great Indian win. The Sydney Thunder cricketer smashed 20 fours and seven sixes in her sensational 171 run innings.
Riding on Kaur’s carnage India posted an imposing 281-4 in a match reduced to 42-overs-a-side by rain.
The Australians never looked at ease in their run chase once Mooney and Captain Meg Lanning were removed in quick succession by Shikha Pandey and Jhulan Goswami. Elyse Villani (75 off 57 balls) and Ellyse Perry (38) did try to return fire but the chase folded to 245 all out in 40.1 overs despite a valiant 90 no from Alex Blackwell.
The win takes India through to their second World Cup final after 2005. It was a remarkable turnaround for Indian women’s team as they were forced to play the qualifying stages.
The match started almost after a three-hour delay due to early morning showers. It was a good toss to win for Mithali Raj as she did not hesitate to bat first. India didn’t have the greatest starts as Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut got out cheaply.
But Man of the Match Harmanpreet Kaur played a blinder to take India to a competitive total of 281/4. It was Kaur’s effort, which changed the course of the match. She plundered the Aussie bowling to remain unbeaten on 171 off 115 balls.
Chasing a daunting 282 runs off 42 overs, Australia wilted in the face of the task in front of them – Beth Mooney losing her off stump to Shikha Pandey and skipper Meg Lanning bowled for an eight-ball duck by Jhulan Goswami.
India will now take on hosts England in the final at Lords on Sunday. The fans will be hoping that history will be repeated at Lords after 34 years.