"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
18 Jul 2017
The Indian women’s national cricket team is gradually climbing the ladders of success with stellar performances from its team members that have helped them secure a berth in the World Cup semi finals.
India made its Test debut in 1976, against the West Indies at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore in 1976. It has played a total of 36 test matches out of which 25 were drawn, 5 matches were won and had to face defeat in 6 matches.
The team’s first One Day International ( ODI ) was against England in the Edens Gardens in Kolkata in 1978. Out of the 241 ODIs that India has played, it has triumphed in 132 matches.
This year the Women in Blue seem to be on a winning spree as out of the 18 matches that they played, they have emerged victorious in 15 matches.
Indian skipper Mithali Raj had in May guided her team to success as India clinched the Quadrangular Series between India, South Africa, Ireland and Zimbabwe. India broke a world record in the Series when openers Deepti Sharma and Poonam Raut made a 320-run opening partnership against Ireland. It was the first 300-run stand by any pair in women's cricket.
The team also had a great start in this year’s World cup. The first match was against England who was defeated by the Indians in their own backyard. It was the opening stand between Smriti Mandhana and Poonam Raut that did it for India and helped them defeat England by 35 runs. Smriti Mandhana’s aggressive knock won her the Player of the match award.
They were triumphant against their next match against the West Indies with the spinners doing a great job. Smriti Mandhana scored a century and was adjudged Player of the Match. She also became the fifth Indian player to score more than one 100 in ODI after Mithali (5), Harmanpreet (2), Thirush Kamini (2) and Jaya Sharma (2).
The July 2 win over their rivals Pakistan in India’s third match of the World Cup was memorable. Although Indians were defending a small total, Ekta Bisht (player of the Match) bowled a superb spell to lead India to victory winning by 95 runs.
This was followed by two defeats at the hands of South Africa and Australia, but India bounced back by defeating New Zealand to secure a berth in the semi finals. Mithali Raj, Player of the Match broke records to steer India to a formidable win against New Zealand.
While England and South Africa are playing their first semi final match today, the second semi final match will be between India and Australia on July 20.
Let’s cheer the Women in Blue to victory. They certainly have come a long way and deserve lots of applause and ovation.