Mithali Raj ecstatic with her team's depth of talent

Team India silenced their critics in the most appropriate way as the women in blue booked a berth in the Women’s World Cup final beating Australia by 36 runs. India batsman Harmanpreet Kaur manhandled the Aussie bowling attack as she made the favourites look a cakewalk.

She played the inning of her life and registered 171 runs to her name remaining unbeaten until the end. She got support from skipper Mithali Raj as their partnership rode India to a respectable total of 281 runs from their 42 overs.

What Mithali had to say:

Indian captain Mithali Raj was delighted with her team’s performance in the semi-finals. She flattered the highly entertaining knock by Harmanpreet and termed it to be a brilliant one. Raj also appreciated Jhulan Goswami‘s effort with the ball as the India’s most successful bowler rose up to the occasion. Raj is overjoyed with the fact that she has a new performer in every match on her side and everyone is stepping up when it is needed.

“Harman’s innings was exceptional. To come back in the semifinals and play an innings like this was brilliant. Jhulan too was superb and has hit her straps at the right time. We have players now who are of international standards. We have a new Woman of the Match in every game which is wonderful. Smriti scored a century in the early stages, Poonam got one after that and Harman today.”

Speaking about the grand finale at Lords, Raj stated “I am sure Harman would be fit and wanting to play the finals. All of us are very excited to be in the finals at Lord’s. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. (On her mid-innings dug out dance) Veda and I choreographed a song and I just reminded Veda about that when it was played out. I did not know the cameras were on us.”

Aussie skipper Meg Lanning praised the Indians for their sparkling show and admitted to the fact that the Indians turned out to be too good for them. “Very well done to the Indians, we just couldn’t stop them. Blackwell was hitting it very well but we just couldn’t do it at the start. I do not think we nailed a full game at any stage, we had some moments but nothing much beyond that. The same thing happened today. Overall, a pretty disappointing tournament for us.”