This Day That Year: Harmanpreet Kaur creates history
It was a historic day for Indian women’s cricket as Harmanpreet
Kaur registered the first century in T20I format during the opening match of
the ICC World T20 match against White Ferns played at Providence Stadium,
Guyana on 9th November 2018.
Indian captain Mithali Raj won the toss and decided to bat
first. It was not an ideal start to the innings as Taniya Bhatia, Smriti
Mandhana and Hemalatha were dismissed in quick succession. At the end of the
first six overs, Indian women made 41 for 3.
Harmanpreet Kaur took the attack to White Ferns bowling
putting them under immense pressure. On the other hand, Rodrigues gave good
support rescuing the Indian innings. Kaur completed her fifty off 33 balls.
After reaching fifty, the hard-hitting batter upped the ante unleashing big
hits making life tough for White Ferns bowlers. Kaur hit massive sixes against
spinners and pacers putting them under massive pressure to complete her century
off 49 balls. It was a superb partnership between Kaur and Rodrigues adding 134
runs for the 4th wicket. Thanks to Kaur 103 off 51 balls with 7
fours and 8 sixes, Indian women posted a massive total of 194 for 5 in 20
overs.
Chasing the target of 195 runs to win, apart from Suzie
Bates 67, Katie Martin 39 none of the White Ferns batters were able to cope
with the spin trio of Deepti Sharma, Poonam Yadav, Hemalatha, Radha Yadav. The
Indian women’s team won the match by 34 runs to register an emphatic win.
It was an amazing performance by the experienced player who
showed her hitting abilities making life tough for the White Ferns team. For
her match-winning knock of 103 from 51 balls, Harmanpreet Kaur was named the
man of the match award.
The Indian women’s team were clubbed with New Zealand women,
Ireland women, Bangladesh women, Pakistan women, and Australian women. Rodrigues
and Kaur's partnership was the highest for any wicket for India in World T20
tournament.
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