Internet Desk: History waits for the Indian women’s cricket team when they lock horns with the hosts England in the ICC Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s tomorrow.
Mithali Raj & Co. will have a chance to rewrite the history again at Lord’s where Indian Men’s team won their first World Cup under legendary Kapil Dev’s leadership by beating the mighty West Indies team in 1983.
The Women in Blue would be high on confidence against England after the knocked out defending Champions Australia from the tournament in the semifinals.
India’s best performance in Women’s World Cup came back in 2005, where they lost to the hosts Australia in the final under Mithali’s leadership.
A win tomorrow has the potential to do the same for women’s cricket in India, where at they have had to arrange funds for overseas tours in the past.
It is only the second time that India will have a shot at the world title. Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj were part of the runners-up team in 2005 and tomorrow will be their last chance to be a World Cup winner.
“For me and Jhulan (Goswami) it is very special because we are the only players from 2005 still with the team and for us it feels like going back to 2005,” Raj said.
“We are all very excited to be part of the World Cup final. We knew this tournament wasn’t going to be easy but the way the girls have turned up at every situation when the team needed,” she added.
If India win, they will become only the fourth team to do so with England, Australia and New Zealand sharing all the preceding titles.
“It definitely is not going to be easy for England, but having beaten Australia, I am sure the girls are on a high but it will boil down to how we perform on the day.
“Playing the hosts in their own country is going to be a challenge but this unit is up for it,” Raj said.
The left-handed Mandhana, who turned 21 last Tuesday, has faded after the first two knocks and her form would be crucial for India to make a flying start.
The Mumbai-player had come up with a crucial 90-run knock in India’s 35-run win over England in the league stage and she would look for an encore.
Jhulan Goswami and Rajeshwari Gayakwad have been able to contain the rival batters. India’s fortunes will also depend on their performance.
England, after losing to India in the tournament-opener, have regrouped well, peaking at the right time. And It will not be easy for India to replicate the show.
England qualified for the final with a dramatic two- wicket win over South Africa with Anya Shrubsole hitting the winning runs in the final over.
Wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor and Natalie Sciver have been crucial cogs in the wheel for them.
Captain Heather Knight believes her side has more to offer in the tournament and might just hit the peak in the summit clash.
“We keep finding ways to win at the moment, we haven’t quite put the perfect performance together, we’d readily admit that,” she said.
“There’s still one game to go and if we put a perfect performance in then, I’ll be a very happy captain. It’s great news (that it’s sold out),” she added.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTtM2AMjtZY