A heroic performance by the Indian women’s cricket team to reach the world cup semi-finals in UK and looking good for an upset win against Australia
In the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup in England, the Indian cricket team has silently outperformed its competition – away from the glare of media attention and adulation of a cricket crazy nation.
High on confidence after three wins on the trot in its first 3-matches, India now faces a formidable opponent in Australia in the semi-finals on 20th July 2017. The Indians, enjoying a good run, will start as overwhelming underdogs. Indians will be hoping that Jhulan Goswami, the pacer with the highest wickets in ODI history will finally come good at the right time. And then there is Mithali Raj, the highest run-getter in ODI history and the first to cross the 6000 run barrier. Her consistency is India’s biggest strength.
However, India’s trump card will be its slow bowlers. The Indian spinners have been largely responsible for the good run in this world cup, successfully choking its opponents in the middle overs and taking wickets at crucial junctures. Perhaps, Indian spinners will be the ones to rein in the Australian captain, Meg Lanning who is ranked as the world’s No. 1 batswoman currently.
It’s time that the nation gave its wonderful women cricketers their due. Skipper Mithali Raj feels they should not be compared to their male counterparts and laments the lack of recognition despite representing a country where the sport reigns supreme. The veteran player came up with a snappy response when asked who her favourite men’s cricketer was? “Do you ask the same question to a male cricketer? Do you ask them who their favourite female cricketer is?” she said to the scribe in question.
Mithali Raj’s response succinctly sums up the quandary that Indian Women’s Cricket faces today. Spare a thought for these unsung heroes of Indian cricket.