Plan was to just hit the ball hard: Harmanpreet Kaur on hurricane knock against Australia

Derby (United Kingdom), July 21: Harmanpreet Kaur produced one of the greatest ever ODI knocks in women's cricket as India stormed into the ICC World Cup final, demolishing Australia by 36 runs in the semifinal, here on Thursday (July 20).

Women's WC Special site; Photos; Match Report

The Indian vice-captain smashed her way to a career-best magical 171 off 115 balls, leaving the Australian bowlers in a daze as India put up an imposing 281 for 4 after rain reduced the match to 42-overs a side.

Kaur's carnage at Derby drew comparisons with Kapil Dev's historic 175 against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells during the 1983 campaign. Even members of the men's team, including skipper Virat Kohli, showered accolades on her.

The 28-year-old right-handed batter's breezy knock was studded with 20 boundaries and seven sixes as she came out all guns blazing in a must win game.

Kaur didn't had much of a show so far in the tournament but she made the big stage count to single-handedly take India to their second World Cup final. It was her third ODI ton and her knock was fifth highest individual score in women's cricket.

(Kohli, Tendulkar in awe of Harmanpreet Kaur's blitzkrieg)

After being adjudged as player of the match for her hurricane knock which blew the Southern Stars away, Kaur said she wanted to prover herself.

"I didn't get a chance to bat in the whole tournament," she told the broadcasters. "Today when I got the chance I just wanted to utilise it, this opportunity, because today was the day where I wanted to prove myself, and thanks to God, whatever I was thinking, [worked]. Mithali and Deepti [Sharma] scored really well and Veda [Krishnamurthy] scored really well."

Kaur, who idolises former India opener Virender Sehwag, played very much like him and said the plan was just to hit the ball hard. After reaching 100 off 90 balls, she just shifted into the top gear and scored next 71 runs in just 25 deliveries.

"Today's plan was just watch the ball, hit it hard and this is what I was doing. Some areas they were bowling well but I just wanted to hit and rotate the strike," she said.

India were at 35 for 2 when she walked into the middle and started batting with caution. After Raj's wicket she played the role of a senior and started accumulating runs with Deepti rotating the strike.

She along with Deepti cemented a partnership of 137 off just 82 balls in which latter's contribution was just 25.

"I just told her to rotate the strike, you don't have to take the pressure, I was hitting the ball well and I told her to give me the strike and I will take the responsibility and she did a great job," she told.

Kaur's 171* was also the second highest individual score in ODIs for India behind Deepti Sharma's unbeaten 188 against South Africa earlier this year.

When asked about her getting angry after that slight misunderstanding while completing her ton the girl from Moga said it was just heat of the moment and that she later apologised to the 19-year-old.

"Of course, it was heat of the moment and I said sorry to her because I don't want to lose my wicket at the that moment and I don't want to lose her wicket too, I got a little bit angry but we are fine now," she added.

The 'Women In Blue' will now meet hosts England in the final at the Lord's on Sunday (July 23). It is going to be a packed stadium as both the teams have no dearth of supporters in England.

OneIndia News