Twitter Goes Wild As Harmanpreet Kaur's Sensational Knock Takes India To World Cup Final
India rode on Harmanpreet Kaur’s scintillating 171-run knock to thrash defending champions Australia to storm into the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup. After Mithali Raj decided to bat first in a rain-curtailed innings that was reduced to 42 overs per side, the Women in Blue found themselves in a spot of bother as they were reeling at 101 for 3 after 25 overs. Team India had just 17 overs to turn things around to post a challenging total against the formidable Australians but the task was not easy at all. With in-form Mithali Raj already back in the pavilion and Australian bowlers bowling a tight line on a pitch that was not allowing the batswomen to go for their shots, India’s middle-order had its task cut out.
However, it was a one woman show after Mithali’s departure as Harmanpreet Kaur blew away the reigning world champions with a whirlwind knock that was studded with 20 fours and 7 sixes. Harmanpreet initially took her time, reaching the half-century but shifted gears to completely change the course of the match. She scored 49 runs in the next 29 balls to score her third One-Day International century before blasting 71 runs off just 25 balls to finish on 171 in just 115 balls. India finished their innings on 281 for 4 and the score turned out to be enough in the end as Australia were bowled out for 245.
Meg Lanning & Co. looked out of contest after the first ten overs after being reduced to 21 for 3 in the 8th over. Alex Blackwell’s 56-ball 90 gave a glimmer of hope but lack of support from the other end quashed Australia’s hopes of making it to the final.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
Amazing team effort from India in the #WomensWorldCup2017 Semi-final!
Not long before we get the trophy now! #WWC17— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 20, 2017
Amazing win for the Indian team. What a knock @ImHarmanpreet take a bow. Win the Cup now girls! #WWC17
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) July 20, 2017
Brilliant finish by the #WomenInBlue! The pic says it all! Here we come Lord's! My best wishes for the final against England #AUSvIND #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/WPNLsLFhuE
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 20, 2017
Congrats to @BCCI what a game!! Feel for @AlexBlackwell2 – nearly got Aus over the line against the odds!! #WWC17
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) July 20, 2017
A stellar batting display backed by fine bowling. What a way to storm into the finals! Proud of you all ? #INDvsAUS #WWC17 #GirlPower
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 20, 2017
Congratulations @BCCIWomen . Really proud of what these wonderful girls have achieved for the country. Best wishes for the finals.#WWC17
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 20, 2017
Well played by India by knocking over our girls @SouthernStars. Our girls should be very proud of their efforts. Great Semi Final! #WWC17
— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) July 20, 2017
That was an absolutely scintillating knock from @ImHarmanpreet ! #FABULOUS
— Anirudh Chaudhry (@AnirudhChaudhry) July 20, 2017
Impressive performance yesterday! ??Congrats @M_Raj03 and best wishes for the #ICCWomensWorldCup2017 final #Lords
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) July 21, 2017
Congratulations to @BCCIWomen Fantastic win to enter the final @ICC #Wwc17 And also to @ImHarmanpreet
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) July 21, 2017
Well done @ImHarmanpreet. Congratulations @BCCIWomen team, go for it! @HomeOfCricket is waiting to witness a top class game. #WWC2017
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) July 21, 2017
Got a glimpse of the #WWC2017 Top knock ? @ImHarmanpreet she seems like a power hitter! Good game!
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) July 20, 2017
One special knock this from @ImHarmanpreet , big match player. #AUSvsIND
— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) July 20, 2017
That's brutal power by @ImHarmanpreet! Hope it turns out to be a match winning knock ?. Some serious hitting there. #WWC17 @BCCIWomen
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 20, 2017
Best innings by an Indian in a World Cup knockout game…yes, I'm including men's cricket too. Harmanpreet Kaur…is writing history. #WWC17
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 20, 2017
