Where the men failed, India is hoping its female cricketers can blaze to glory
On Friday, a star Hamanpreet Kaur tweeted, “There is no tool for development more effective than women empowerment.”
Batswomen Hamanpreet Kaur along with captain Mithali Raj adorned the cover page of Times of India and also on Social Media after India stunned defending champions Australia in Thursday’s semi-finals.
Hamanpreet said, “Where the men failed, India is hoping its female cricketers can blaze to glory when they face England in the World Cup final on Sunday.
It is noted that Kaur hit an unbeaten 171 to propel India into the final at Lord’s, England’s spiritual home.
According to Times of India the news stated, “The win comes as a welcome boost with India in need of cricket cheer after the men’s team capitulated to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final last month.
“The performance came as no surprise to former players who believe Indian women’s team is destined for the big time.”
The former team captain Diana Eduljee told NDTV, “Hats off to Harmanpreet. It’s a great victory for the India women’s cricket team and for women’s cricket in India,
“I thank the girls for the opportunity they have given to all women cricketers and the future of women’s cricket is now here to stay in India.
“I am sure this victory is going to be historic as we have already beaten New Zealand, Australia and England. I’d think the World Cup is already in India irrespective of whatever happens on Sunday.”
Kapil Dev, who won the World Cup with the men’s team said, “filled with pride after seeing the women in action against the Aussies.
“Kaur, who last year became the first Indian woman to play in the women’s Big Bash League in Australia, grabbed the limelight with a 115-ball innings laced with 20 fours and 7 sixes.
“Unanimously described as an “unforgettable knock” by one and all on social media, Kaur’s efforts saw India enter their second final of the women’s World Cup after they were beaten by Australia at Centurion in 2005.”
Leading Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted, “This is a genuinely Kapil-Dev-at-Tunbridge-Wells kind of innings,
“comparing it to Dev’s 175 against Zimbabwe in a 1983 World Cup league match. “Hope it inspires other young girls to follow.”
ESPN cricinfo senior editor Sharda Ugra termed the win as a “turning point” in Indian women’s cricket. He told AFP, “The team and Kaur’s performance did not come as a surprise.
“We knew that there is a new generation of young players who play it like a modern game. They are physical, they field well, are aggressive. They are like 21st century kind of women. I think it was this particular innings and this particular game that will prove to be the turning point of Indian women’s cricket.”
Indian women’s were always a force to reckon in the 11th edition of the women’s World Cup with Raj leading from the front as the tournament’s second highest run-getter.
Reporter: Syeda Faiza Bukhari