On this momentous day, July 20, 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur etched her name in cricketing history with a breathtaking display of batting brilliance in the Women’s ODI World Cup semi-final between India and Australia at the iconic County Ground in Derby. It was a high-stakes encounter where Indian captain Mithali Raj won the toss and took the bold decision to bat first in this crucial knockout clash.
Batting at No. 4, Harmanpreet Kaur delivered an awe-inspiring performance, smashing an unbeaten 171* off just 115 balls, leaving spectators in awe of her extraordinary talent. Her innings were adorned with a staggering 20 boundaries and seven mighty sixes, displaying an array of shots that left the opposition bowlers shell-shocked.
The pressure was palpable as India had struggled in previous ICC events, and facing a formidable Australian team only heightened the tension. When openers Smriti Mandhana (6) and Punam Raut (14) fell cheaply, it seemed as though India might succumb to another all-too-familiar batting collapse, further fueling doubts about their ability to handle pressure situations.
However, Harmanpreet had different plans. She played a captain’s innings, standing tall amidst the pressure and building crucial partnerships to steer her team toward a formidable total. First, she forged a vital 66-run partnership with Mithali Raj (36), steadying the innings and showing great maturity. Later, she found an able ally in all-rounder Deepti Sharma (25), as the duo put on a scintillating 137-run stand for the fourth wicket, taking India’s innings to an imposing 281/4 in just 42 overs (due to a match reduction).
Watch Harmanpreet Kaur’s 171* Highlight:
𝟔 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤 💪🏻🔥#OnThisDay in 2017 🗓️ skipper Harmanpreet Kaur played a sensational inning of 𝟏𝟕𝟏*(𝟏𝟏𝟓) in an ODI World Cup against Australia 🙌🏻 #CricketTwitterpic.twitter.com/asdOAkBa7A
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 20, 2023
Her spectacular innings not only showcased her extraordinary skill but also served as an inspiration to the entire Indian team. The bowlers, buoyed by Harmanpreet’s heroics, stepped up to the challenge, delivering a spirited performance to defend the total and secure one of India’s finest victories in a World Cup clash.
Amidst a history of disappointments in crucial knockout World Cup matches, Harmanpreet Kaur’s innings shone like a beacon of hope and determination for the Indian cricket team. It proved that underdogs can rise above all odds and deliver extraordinary results on the grandest stage of cricket.
Exactly 6 years ago, the world witnessed a storm 🌪️
A knock that stormed India into their 2nd ODI World Cup Final after 12 years. #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/HxPw9HD3JO
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 20, 2023
Harmanpreet’s innings will forever be etched in the memories of cricket fans worldwide as a truly colossal performance, one that changed the course of India’s journey in the 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup. It remains a shining example of courage, skill, and the ability to perform under immense pressure, solidifying her place as one of the greatest cricketing legends in the history of the sport.
In a country like India where this sport is slowly gaining traction in the women’s circuit. Harmanpreet’s knock came as an inspirational jolt to all the passionate women cricketers. It instilled the girls with courage and assured them that hard work’s by-product is nothing but success. More and more women cricketers have idolized Harman’s perseverance to become the best versions of themselves.
That innings against an Australian heavy unit was a classic example of riding past the tough times in order to see the brighter side of the tunnel. The special knock of 171 has paved the way for standards to be set higher, and for the players to breach newer altitudes.
