Mohammad Kaif recalls Harmanpreet Kaur’s majestic 171 in 2017 Women’s World Cup


Mohammad Kaif recalls Harmanpreet Kaur’s majestic 171 in 2017 Women’s World Cup

Kaif Harmanpreet

On this day, three years ago, Harmanpreet Kaur scored 171 runs off just 115 balls against Australia in the semi-final of the 50-over Women’s World Cup in 2017. Remembering this impeccable moment on Monday, former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif wrote, ‘women’s cricket has seen a phenomenal rise’ as he remembered the women’s world cup of 2017.

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Kaif tweeted, “Three years back, on this day, Harmanpreet Kaur hit 171*(115) v Australia in World Cup semi-final. Quality innings under pressure. This rise of Indian women’s cricket in the past three years has been phenomenal @ImHarmanpreet.”

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Why was this innings memorable?

In that match, India won the toss and the Mithali Raj-led side elected to bat first, although then the match was reduced to 42 overs per side due to rain. As Smriti Mandhana (6) and Punam Raut (14) were sent back to the pavilion due to which India was then reduced to 35/2 in the 10th over.

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It was then, in the middle that Harmanpreet joined Mithali Raj and the duo then went on to form a 66-run stand. However, in the 25th over, Mithali (36) was sent back to the pavilion but Harmanpreet continued to march on for India.

For the fourth wicket, Harmanpreet found support in Deepti Sharma as both batters formed a 137-run stand.

The right-handed Harmanpreet registered 20 fours and seven sixes in her innings to take India’s total to 281/4 in the allotted 42 overs. India then managed to defend the total as the side bundled out Australia for 245 runs.

Altogether, Indian showed immense performance in semi-finals but they somehow lost in the final against hosts England at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.

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