INDW v AUSW, WWC, 2nd Semifinal – India Women Player Ratings

6-time World Champion Australia were floored by a resurgent India, who produced a lion-hearted performance in the big semifinals. Mithali Raj won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat. A whirlwind innings by Harmanpreet Kaur (171*) propelled India to a big score of 281 for 4 after 42 overs in a rain inflicted game.

In all fairness, Australia were knocked out in the very first innings itself. Impressive opening bursts from the highest wicket taker in WODI’s Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey reduced the World Champions to 21 for 3 in the 8th over. From then on, Australia were fighting a futile battle and eventually fell short by 36 runs. A late surge by Elyse Villani (75) and Alex Blackwell (90) gave that an outside chance which was floored again by the Indian bowlers.

Harmanpreet Kaur was at the forefront of a massive Indian performance in their first semifinal since 2005. She smacked the Australian bowlers around mercilessly on her way to a memorable unbeaten 171 which needed just 115 balls. She struck 7 sixes besides 20 boundaries to help India get to a huge first innings total. India will play their first final of a World Cup in 12 years and look favourites to get their hands on the trophy for the first time in their history.

Here are the Player Ratings of the Indian team:

Smriti Mandhana – 2.5/10

Mandhana’s struggles continued in this game as she went on to record her fifth straight sub-15 total in the ongoing World Cup. After registering scores of 90 and 106* in the first two games, Mandhana has failed to set the stage alight. She will get another opportunity to showcase her talent in the finals.

Punam Raut – 3/10

Raut was involved in a slow start which prompted India to get off the blocks quickly. After registering a masterful century against the same opposition last week, much was expected of her going into the semifinals.

Mithali Raj – 6.5/10

Raj has been in great form in this World Cup. After losing both the openers within the first ten overs, it was down for the experienced Raj to shepherd the ship which is what she exactly did. A calm and composed 36 helped India to get out of a tricky situation of 35 for 2. Her leadership was exceptional on the night as she inflicted the right changes at the right time.

Harmanpreet Kaur – 10/10

Arguably the best innings ever played in the history of Women’s cricket, Kaur blazed through the Australian bowling to remain unbeaten on a career best 171. It was an innings which lifted the morale of the entire unit and gives them momentum going into the finals. Kaur will be proud of her accomplishments in her first semifinal for India.

Deepti Sharma – 7/10

Deepti played an important knock with the bat. Her contribution was just a mere 25 in a partnership of 137 with Kaur but she ensured that the right-hander got most of the strike. Her 3/59 was crucial in breaking the back of the Australians though she went over 8 runs an over.

Veda Krishnamurthy – 6.5/10

Veda did a good job of adding quick runs at the end. It was her heroics in the last game against Kiwis that got India into the semifinals. She remained unbeaten on 16 off just 10 balls faced. A solitary over was less fruitful as she was thwarted for 11 runs and wasn’t called on to bowl again by the skipper.

Sushma Verma – 4/10

Sushma did not get a chance to bat but was clean behind the stumps. She held an important catch of Ellyse Perry off the bowling of Shikha Pandey.

Jhulan Goswami – 8.5/10

The experience of Jhulan came to the fore as she struck telling blows with the new ball. Getting the wicket of Meg Lanning was the key and Jhulan sent her back without troubling the scorers in an inspirational opening burst. She also accounted for Alyssa Healy’s wicket, who can be a dangerous lower order batswoman. Goswami was sharp in the field affecting a run-out and taking a smart catch towards the end of the chase.

Shikha Pandey – 8.5/10

Pandey alongside Goswami was the wrecker in chief as far as the Indians were concerned. She picked up opener Mooney’s wicket and the all-important wicket of Perry with her medium pace. She returned with outstanding figures of 2/17 besides taking a catch in the outfield.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad – 3.5/10

Hero of the last game, Gayakwad was expensive in this knockout clash returning with 1/62 off 9 overs. Her figures were particularly ruined by Alex Blackwell, who scored a razing 56-ball 90. Gayakwad will be retained for the finals despite a lax performance in this one.

Poonam Yadav – 3.5/10

It wasn’t a day for the spinners as Poonam, like Gayakwad, struggled to put a cap on the run scoring. The leg-spinner returned with figures of 1/60 in her quota of 9 overs.