Proud India salutes Mithali Raj and Co for their spectacular journey in ICC Women's World Cup

New Delhi, July 24: India women cricket team's dream of lifting their maiden ICC World Cup trophy came a cropper as they were outclassed by England in a nail biting final at the Lord's on Sunday (July 23).

World Cup Special Site; Match report

In what was unarguably one of the most watched ODI game in the women's ODI history as the iconic cricket ground was full house and millions were glued to the television sets to back their favourite side.

Proud India salutes Mithali Raj and Co for their spectacular journey in ICC Women's World Cup — India players stand dejected prior to receiving their runners-up medals after losing the CC Women's World Cup final match against England.

Indian eves fell 9 runs short of England's total and eventually ended up as the runner ups for the second time in their World Cup journey so far.

Electing to bat first, England produced a competitive total of 228 for seven in their 50 overs against Mithali Raj and her girls.

The Indian eves rode on half-centuries from opener Punam Raut and Harmanpreet Kaur to almost overhauling the target.

Punam scored 86 runs off 115 balls while Harmanpreet scored 51 off 80. Together thet added 95 runs in 128 balls and helped to steady the Indian innings following the loss of two early wickets.

However, the Indian eves seemed to los their wits towards the end, losing seven wickets for just 28 runs to be all out for 219 runs in 48.4 overs.

India may have lost the finals but their performance in the tournament and the quality of cricket they played will give certainly give them huge confidence. Their brilliant run and journey in the tournament will certainly inspire several young girls to pick cricket as their career.

Hailing their contribution towards Indian cricket, the country hailed the Women In Blue for their achievement.

Accepting the defeat graciously, fans and cricketers stood in unison to salute Mithali Raj and her teammates for making the entire nation proud and fighting till the end.

Here's how a proud India hailed it's daughters:

Our women cricketers gave their best today. They have shown remarkable tenacity & skill through the World Cup. Proud of the team! @BCCIWomen
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2017

PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led millions of Indians to salute Women In Blue for their journey in the tournament.

Feel for all of you, #WomenInBlue! You were good throughout but sometimes it is not meant to be. Congrats England on winning #WWC17Final!
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 23, 2017

Sachin Tendulkar

Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar congratulated Team India for their performance in the tournament.

Tough luck @BCCIWomen what a nail biting finish to the World Cup ! So proud of you all ,to come so far in the tournament .congrats England
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 23, 2017

Yuvraj Singh

Veteran India cricketer Yuvraj Singh hailed the Women In Blue for their journey in the tournament.

Super proud of the girls. Tough luck today but womens cricket in India has truly arrived. Thank you girls .Salute your spirit.#WWC17Final
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 23, 2017

Virender Sehwag

"Super proud of our girls," wrote former India cricketer Virender Sehwag.

England won the #WomensWorldCup2017 but #WomenInBlue won our hearts. Well played both the teams.
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) July 23, 2017

Rajeev Shukla

BCCI official and IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla lauded the Indian women for winning our hearts.

Despite the result it is a new era for cricket as a whole. Congratulations @M_Raj03 @ImHarmanpreet @vedakmurthy08 @BCCIWomen @ICC #WWC17
— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) July 23, 2017

Gautam Bhimani

Sports presenter Gautam Bhimani felt despite loss, it is the start of a new era for Indian women's cricket.

You made us dream,
You made us believe,
We're proud of all you girls!
Real honor to hve watched u play! #WWC17Final #WomenInBlue @BCCIWomen
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 23, 2017

Gautam Gambhir

Senior India cricketer Gautam Gambhir hailed Mithali Raj and her teammates for their incredible journey in the tournament.

So near yet so far...The best ODI I've seen in a long long time. Thanks ladies. Congrats England. You held the nerve a little better. #WWC17
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 23, 2017

Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer felt the contest between India and England in the final was one of the best ODIs in a long time.

Shhhhhhhh it's ENGLAND @englandcricket @Anya_shrubsole @Heatherknight55, @BCCIWomen feel proud too for coming this far @M_Raj03 #ENGWomen
— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) July 23, 2017

Monty Panesar

Former England bowler Monty Panesar hailed Indian cricket team for their effort in the ICC Word Cup 2017.

You played like champions #WomenInBlue. Lost the #WWC17Final but You won Billion hearts. You made all of us proud. 🇮🇳 Well played.
— Dr. Mahesh Sharma (@dr_maheshsharma) July 23, 2017

Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister

Union Minister Mahesh Sharma also saluted the Indian girls for their performance.

Hard luck girls. We are all still immensely proud of you. #BleedBlue #WWC17Final #JaiHind 🇮🇳
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) July 23, 2017

Abhishek Bachchan

Actor Abhishek Bachchan hailed the girls for making it to the finals.

Even Broken Hearts Can Laugh!!
These Women have started a revolution & I couldn't be more proud 👊🏽 #WWC17Final pic.twitter.com/gVfHI08XHi
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 23, 2017

Akshay Kumar

Actor Akshay Kumar, who was present at Lord's to cheer for India, spent some time with girls to console them after defeat in the final.

My SALUTE to our Indian Women's Cricket team and supporting teams for an excellent performance #WomenInBlue #WWC17
— Mary Kom (@MangteC) July 23, 2017

Mary Kom

India's champion boxer MC Mary Kom saluted the Women In Blue.

T 2494 - Until you loose, you shall never know the joy of victory ! Well played ladies .. Bhartiya Nari Zindabad !! WWC17 pic.twitter.com/Ghxkou5Nn4
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 23, 2017

Amitabh Bachchan

Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan took to his Twitter account to hail the power of Indian women.

I wish I was there to give the Lovely Ladies a hug. Be proud girls we have achieved greatness today. @BCCIWomen u made all Indians proud.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) July 23, 2017

Shah Rukh Khan

"Wish I was there," wrote actor Shah Rukh Khan.

Congratulations to the England Women's cricket team. Well played @BCCIWomen. The entire country is proud of you for playing great cricket!☺️
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 23, 2017

Shikhar Dhawan

India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan saluted Indian women.

Great effort throughout the tournament by team India. Lost the game but won million hearts by displaying some inspiring cricket. @BCCIWomen
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 23, 2017

Rohit Sharma

Rohit thanked Team India for inspiring millions.

Your determination was unmatched, wonderful show Team India..& congratulations to England on winning the #WWC17!
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 23, 2017

Harbhajan Singh

Veteran India cricketer saluted the determination of Indian women.

Chin up Ladies. You've made the whole country and yourselves Very Very Proud. @BCCIWomen #WWC17Final #WomenInBlue
— K L Rahul (@klrahul11) July 23, 2017