Derby: Displaying a clinical show of batting and bowling, the Indian women entered the finals of the ongoing ICC Women's Cricket World Cup after beating Australia by 36 runs.After putting a massive 281 runs on board with the help of a scintillating 171-run knock by Harmanpreet Kaur, the women in blue wrapped up their opponents on 245 runs to register a historical win yesterday.
India skipper Mithali Raj won the toss and elected to bat against the Aussies in the semifinals, which was reduced to 42-over game after a delayed start due to rain.Despite some early blows, Kaur's massive hitting guided the Indian eves to put a challenging total against their opponents.
Kaur remained unbeaten on 171, which came in just 115 balls decorated by 20 boundaries and seven sixes, while Mithali contributed wid 36 runs.
In reply, Australia kept on receiving jolts at regular intervals however, a 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Elyse Villani (75) and Alex Blackwell (90) anchored the Australian innings in the slog overs.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad dismissed Villani while Deepti Sharma sent back Blackwell to put India again in command of the crucial game.After their dismissal, no other batswomen was able to show a fight and eventually the entire Australian wicket fell in 40.1 overs on 245 runs.Fir India, Deepti Sharma was the wrecker in chief picking three wickets for 59 runs while Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey bagged couple if wickets each.India will now take on host England in the finals of the tournament on July 23 at Lords.(UNI)