Twitter Reactions: India thump England in the ICC WWC 2017 opener

Banking on a spectacular display of batting from Indian skipper Mithali Raj and openers Punam Raut and Smriti Mandhana, India registered a famous win at the County Ground, Derby. Indian women continued their scintillating run of form, beating a strong English side in their backyard.

England’s suicidal running between the wickets cost them a heavy price. Four English batters went back to the pavilion via run outs. Skipper Heather Knight, Katherine Brunt and Fran Wilson were batting beautifully, but one mistake from each of them inflicted some run outs and England fell 35 runs short of their target.

Batting first, Indian batters were all over the English bowlers, who failed to make the most the out of the new ball. Comeback girl Smriti Mandana and Punam Raut looked in fine touch and just kept ticking the scoreboard. The duo added a fabulous 144-run opening stand and didn’t allow the English bowlers to take charge at any moment.

Smriti then fell on 90, missing out on well deserved century to Danielle Hazell. She scored her runs at a strike-rate of 125 and this set the platform brilliantly for the inform skipper to come in and get going. She did so in some style, adding a 78-run stand for the second wicket with Punam Raut, who fell to the opposition skipper Knight, not before scoring a brilliant 84.

The way Indian batters kept building partnerships completely demoralised the bowlers and India finished with a commendable 281 runs on the board, losing just 3 wickets. Mithali Raj fell off the last ball of the innings for 71, which happened to be her 7th consecutive half-century; the most in Women’s ODI history.

Run outs that turned the game upside down

English openers didn’t give them a good start and to add to it, they lost wickets at quick intervals. After losing 3 wickets for 67 runs, skipper Knight (46) and Wilson (81) stitched a wonderful partnership, which ignited some hopes in their gallery partially.

Then started some pathetic running between the wickets which led to 4 run outs. England literally brought this upon themselves but the Indian fielding effort was commendable as well. Katherine Brunt and Wilson tried their best in the final 10 to take their side over the line, but Brunt’s run out pretty much sealed the game for the Indians.

Once they got Brunt, Wilson too walked back and it was just a matter of time before the Indian women completed a stunning 35-run victory. This indeed is a great way to begin the campaign from the Indian perspective, who have now registered their 17th win in their previous 18 games.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s spectacular show at the Derby.