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ICC Women's World Cup 2017: Best 5 efforts from Indians in the tournament

ICC Women's World Cup: Here are the top 5 performances by Indians in the tournament.

By Avinash

New Delhi, July 24: The 2017 ICC Women's World Cup has finally come to end with Mithali Raj-led Team India finishing as proud runner-ups after they were defeated by hosts England in final by 9 runs at Lord's on Sunday (July 23).

World Cup Special Site

The Women In Blue displayed some scintillating performances in their journey to the finals. Their valiant effort and spirited show will usher a new era for women's cricket in the cricket-crazy nation.

The Indian side went from strength-to-strength in the tournament coupled by some spectacular individual performances, which will be remembered in the years to come.

The young and inexperienced Indian side led by Raj cleared their intentions from the opening game itself when they stunned title favourites England.

Even the best of cricket pundits had predicted that Indian eves would start their campaign with a win against a dominant side like England.

After a comprehensive win against England, the spirited Indian side didn't look back and went on winning the next three games, their charge only halted by defending champions Australia followed by South Africa.

Team once again bounced back to book semi-final berth by defeating New Zealand in a virtual quarter-finals and the way this team stunned World No. 1 Australia in the semis is unarguably one of the best knock-out game by India in it's ODI history -- men and women combined.

The cricketing fraternity was in awe of their performance against Australia at Derby. Harmanpreet Kaur -- the chief architect of India's historic win -- single-handedly steered India into the finals with a knock of her lifetime.

The right-handed batter hammered an unbeaten 171* off 115 deliveries as India posted a mammoth 281 in 42 overs of a rain curtailed match. The bowlers eventually successfully defended the total taking India to their second world cup final.

In the final as well, the Indian side put up a brave show while chasing a target of 229 in order to script history. But the pressure of final, perhaps, took it's toll over Indian side as fell short by nine runs after a middle-order collapse.

But there were some stand-out performances from the Indians in the tournament and they will be remembered for long.

Here are top 5 performances from Indians in WWC 2017:

1. Smriti Mandhana's century against West Indies

1. Smriti Mandhana's century against West Indies

The left-handed opening batter from Maharashtra couldn't complete her ton the opening game against England as she was dismissed for 90. But the 20-year-old Mandhana didn't repeat similar mistakes in the next game against West Indies and struck brilliant ton.

Mandhana followed up her 90-run knock against England with an unbeaten 106 against Windies to start her first World Cup on a high note. It was her career's second ODI century which came from 108 balls and comprised 13 fours and two sixes.

Such was the brilliance of her knock that even India's most lethal openers of all time -- Virender Sehwag -- couldn't stop praising her.

2. Ekta Bisht's fifer against Pakistan

2. Ekta Bisht's fifer against Pakistan

Pakistan have never won a single ODI against arch-rivals India and the Women In Blue continued their unbeaten streak in the World Cup as well. India were restricted to a paltry total of 169 by disciplined bowling effort from Sana Mir-led side.

Coming out to defend such a low total, India skipper Mithali Raj introduced spinner Ekta Bisht early which turned out to be a trump card. Bisht rattled the Pakistan top-order in her first spell and wrapped up their innings by cleaning up the lower order in her second spell.

Bisht, the first woman cricketer from the state of Uttarakhand, grabbed a fifer and conceded just 18 runs to ensure Pakistan were bundled out for 74.

It was the best bowling effort from an India in the World Cup, which was later owned by Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

4. Mithali Raj's ton against New Zealand

4. Mithali Raj's ton against New Zealand

She is the second highest run-scorer of the tournament and led the side from the front. In a game when it mattered the most, the skipper slammed a composed century to take India to the semis.

In a virtual quarter-final match against New Zealand, Mithali smashed sixth ton in her 184th match. Her 109 came from 123 balls and had 11 fours in it.

India, at one stage, were reduced to 21 for 2 in the eighth over but a 132-run stand between Mithali (109) and Harmanpreet Kaur (60) for the third wicket brought them back into the match. The skipper's brilliant knock ensured India post a daunting total for the 'Black Ferns' to chase, who lost the match by 186 runs.

She already is the leading run-scorer in the ODIs and the first to reach 6000 ODI runs.

3. Rajeshwari Gayakwad's fifer against New Zealand

3. Rajeshwari Gayakwad's fifer against New Zealand

The left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad returned with a five-wicket haul as India crushed New Zealand by 186 runs to storm into the semi-finals.

Gayakwad (5/15) was the peak of the bowlers with her five-wicket haul in a must win game for the Women In Blue.

India were defending a total of 265 but Gayakwad trapped the 'Black Ferns' in her spin trap and ensured Women In Blue enter semi-finals in style.

5. Harmanpreet Kaur's 171* against Australia

5. Harmanpreet Kaur's 171* against Australia

The World Cup 2017, will be remembered by Indian fans for Harmanpreet Kaur's whirlwind knock of 171* off just 115 balls against six time champions Australia in the semi-finals.

Kaur, the 28-year-old top order batter from Moga, played unarguably one of the finest ODI innings ever to lead India to an imposing 281 for four against Australia and set the tone in her team's favour. India eventually won the game by 36 runs.

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.

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.

OneIndia News

Story first published: Thursday, August 3, 2017, 7:55 [IST]
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