Harmanpreet Kaur blasted 171 in the semi-final of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup against Australia and it was a knock that changed the entire landscape of women’s cricket not just in India but all over the world.
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It was a knock that changed the entire landscape of women’s cricket. She was battling pain in her fingers, wrist and shoulder. The situation was intense and full of pressure. When she was developing her game in the small town of Moga in Punjab, she developed a magnificent eye for the game of cricket. Hockey could have been the go-to sport, but she decided to ply her trade with boys. Her coach had given her a simple assignment. Either she hit shots that crossed a tree or finish the evening with 100 or 150 sixes. The bat and ball that she used for practice was not of high quality.
All that practice gave her the necessary mindset for a big knock in the massive stage. On July 20, 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur produced a knock for the ages that changed the entire landscape of Indian cricket. Women’s cricket, after that knock, became even more popular than the men. The semi-final of the 2017 ICC World Cup between India and Australia saw Harmanpreet unleash a tour-de-force performance against the reigning champions.
Australia was dominating women’s cricket for the last couple of decades. They were the reigning champions. India had never beaten Australia in the ODI World Cup, losing in the final in 2005 in South Africa. Heading into the contest, Australia were the odds on favorites to make the trip to Lord’s.
India, on the other hand, had a strong campaign in the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup. Smriti Mandhana was the star in their win against England and West Indies when she hit 90 and 106. India registered big wins against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Mithali Raj’s side registered big wins against South Africa, New Zealand but they suffered a loss to Australia in the league stage. India, Australia, England, and South Africa had reached the semi-final, with India taking on Australia.
India chose to bat in a match reduced to 42-overs-per-side due to rain. But, they were immediately in trouble against Australia. Mandhana went for 6 while Punam Raut was sent back for 14. Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaurthen came together and steadied the ship. Harmanpreet hit two fours off Megan Schutt to showcase her aggression. Both Harmanpreet and Mithali rotated the strike, with Harmanpreet Kaur finding the boundary consistently. However, the 66-run stand was broken when Kristen Beams dismissed Mithali for 36.
With Mithali’s departure, Harmanpreet opened up. She blasted a six off Beams and notched up her fifty with a pulled four to deep midwicket. Deepti Sharma gave Harmanpreet good company. Jess Jonassen felt the brunt of Harmanpreet as she hit two fours off her bowling in the 32nd over. Harmanpreet hit a four and six off Jonassen in the 34th over and she got to her fifty in dramatic style.
She flicked a couple but Deepti Sharma was in danger of being run-out. The non-striker put in the dive. Harmanpreet was livid as she gave Deepti Sharma an earful, reducing Deepti to tears. The rage in Harmanpreet was channeled to the Australia bowlers. Ashleigh Gardner felt the full force as she was hit for two sixes and two fours by Harmanpreet in the 37th over.
Harmanpreet was in a different zone now. She hit two fours off Schutt and launched Elyse Villani for a massive six out of the ground. Harmanpreet followed it with two fours and reached her 150 in style. The right-hander raised her temp as she hit two sixes and a four off Jonassen to end on 171.
Harmanpreet was chuffed about her knock. After the innings, she said, “I didn’t get to chance in the whole tournament, but today when I got my chance. I utilized my chance and thanks to God. Mithali and Veda also scored really well. I was watching the ball and hitting it well. I found my areas and executed it to perfection.”
Australia tried to fight but they were blown away by the brilliance of Harmanpreet. Alex Blackwell hit 90 and Elyse Villani hit 75. But, Deepti Sharma’s three wickets and two wickets apiece from Shikha Pandey and Jhulan Goswami helped India win by 36 runs. The dream lived on. India women’s cricket team was touted to repeat what the 1983 men’s team did in the World Cup.
But, England was boosted by home support as they defeated India by nine runs in the final at Lord’s. It was truly a heartbreaking moment. But, the tournament was memorable due to the brilliance of Harmanpreet. It was a knock that made even Mithali Raj, the supercool captain to dance in delight. Truly, it redefined the term knock of the ages.
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