Harmanpreet Kaur played one of the greatest innings in one-day international (ODI) history as India defeated Australia in the second semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup on Thursday.
Coming into bat at number four, Harmanpreet scored an unbeaten 171 from just 115 deliveries which included 20 fours and seven sixes in an innings that will be remembered for a long, long time.
On the back of Harmanpreet’s brilliance, India managed to put up a total of 281-4 in their 42 overs in a match that was delayed at the start due to rain.
It was the partnership between Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma that put the Indian team in control of the game. The duo added 137 runs for the fourth wicket, with Deepti scoring 25.
Captain Mithali Raj also made an important contribution with the bat, scoring 36 while Veda Krishnamurthy hit an unbeaten 16 from 10 deliveries at the backend of the innings.
In reply, Australia lost three early wickets and that put the defending champions firmly on the back foot. Australia captain Meg Lanning, who has been fighting off a shoulder injury, was dismissed for zero by a superb delivery from Jhulan Goswani.
Elyse Villani and Ellyse Perry brought Australia back into the game with a 105-run partnership. Villani, especially, looked in superb touch, scoring 75 from just 58 deliveries.
Villani’s dismissal brought about a batting collapse with Australia going from 126-3 to 169-9.
Alex Blackwell put up a fighting display, hitting 90 from 56 deliveries as Kristen Beams and she added 76 runs for the final wicket partnership. But it wasn’t enough as India won by 36 runs.
India will now face England in the final at Lord’s on Sunday.
BRIEF SCORES
India 281-4, 42 overs [Harmanpreet Kaur 171*, Mithali Raj 36, Elyse Villani 1-19] beat Australia 245 all out, 40.1 overs [Alex Blackwell 90, Elyse Villani 75, Deepti Sharma 3-59] by 36 runs.
Player of the Match – Harmanpreet Kaur.