Harmanpreet Kaur slams 171*, becomes 5th highest run-scorer in ODIS
The 281 run innings was India’s highest ever total against the Southern Stars and could very well be a match-winning total
India’s middle order batswoman Harmanpreet Kaur on Thursday put India to a commanding total of 281/4 as she smashed 171 not out off just 115 balls against Australia in the Women’s World Cup semi-final at Derby. Harmanpreet, who hit 20 fours and seven huge sixes in her innings, went on a rampage as she sent Australian bowlers on a leather hunt. The Chandigarh girl not only slammed her 3rd ODI hundred but also became 5th highest run-scorer in women’s cricket. She has also become the second highest run scorer for India after Deepti Sharma.
After winning the toss, India was tottering at 35/2 in 9.2 overs when Harmanpreet along with captain Mithali Raj stitched together a partnership of 66 runs for the third-wicket to steady the innings.
205 children abandoned in cradles MANEKA GANDHI
Harmanpreet Kaur played inarguably one of the finest ODI innings ever to lead India to an imposing 281 for four against Australia in the semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup, here on Thursday.
The Indian vice-captain smashed her way to a career-best magical 171 off 115 balls, leaving the Australian bowlers in a daze in a match that has been curtailed to 42 overs a side due to inclement weather.
This was India’s highest ever total against the Southern Stars and could well be a match-winning total.
The innings could well be termed as the best ever played by an Indian woman in the limited overs cricket. Harmanpreet’s third ODI century was embellished with 20 fours and as many as seven sixes. This is also the second highest individual score in ODIS for India behind Deepti Sharma’s 188 not out against South Africa earlier this year.
It was out of the world power-hitting by the girl from Moga district in Punjab — something that has made her a stand-out player for India. The milestone from 51 to 100 was reached in 26 balls while she raced to 150 from 101 in mere 17 balls. The sixes flew from her bat with monotonic regularity as the Aussie bowlers had no clue as to what hit them.
After a useful 60 against New Zealand in the virtual quarter-final, Harmanpreet upped the ante like never before.
She batted like as if there was no tomorrow as she repeatedly hit the troika of leftarm spinner Jess Jonasen (0/63 in 7 overs), off-break bowler Ashleigh Gardner (1/43 in 8 overs) and leg-spinner Kirsten Beans (1/49 in 8 overs) with utter disdain.
Her footwork against the spinners was exemplary as she would repeatedly come down the track to loft them in the arc between long-on and deep mid-wicket.
She seemed in some discomfort with side strain but that did not deter her from targetting the onside as a whopping 137 runs was added in 13.4 overs along with Deepti Sharma (25) for fourth wicket. Such was her focus that once she scampered home for a double to complete her hundred, she was seen shouting at Deepti after she flung her helmet in disgust. She regained her composure, said sorry to a tearyeyed junior and like a woman on mission completely annihilated the opposition bowlers. Brief Scores: India: 281-4 in 42 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 171 not out, Mithali Raj 36). Australia: A Gard
ner (1/43). Incomplete.