The Indian women’s cricket team made a great start to the ODI World Cup this year. The team defeated Pakistan by 107 runs in their first match. Indian women cricketers did what the Indian men’s team could not do in the T20 World Cup last year.
In the Men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan defeated India for the first time in the history of this tournament. At the same time, the women showed their courage and took revenge of the men and won. The Indian women’s cricket team has been setting a record by performing consistently for some time now.
The Indian women’s team also performed tremendously in the 2017 ODI World Cup and won everyone’s heart. The team then won seven out of 10 matches in the round robin format. India defeated Australia in the semi-finals. However, the team had to face defeat at the hands of England in the final and the team missed out on the title.
After this, all the players including captain Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur started crying on the field itself. To fulfill that unfulfilled dream, this year the women’s team has come on the field. On the occasion of Women’s Day, we are telling you about the seven players of the Indian women’s cricket team, who are responsible for fulfilling the unfinished dream of 2017.
1. Mithali Raj
Like in 2017, Mithali is taking charge of Team India this year as well. India’s captain Mithali Raj has made a special record in her name as soon as she landed. She has become the first female player to have played six ODI World Cups. Before him Sachin Tendulkar of India and Javed Miandad of Pakistan have done this.
Mithali has played the final of the Women’s World Cup for the Indian team twice, but has not been able to make her team the winner so far. This could be his last World Cup. In such a situation, she would like to end her career with a World Cup trophy. Mithali has been awarded the Arjuna Award in 2004.
2. Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur, the vice-captain of the Indian team, is an all-rounder. In 2017 he was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award. In November 2018, she became the first woman from India to score a century in a Women’s T20 International. He did this against New Zealand in 2018. A lot is being expected from Harmanpreet in this year’s World Cup.
3. Smriti Mandhana
This left-handed opener has played many great innings for Team India so far. She was voted the best female cricketer of the year in 2021. At the same time, Mandhana was also adjudged the best women’s cricketer and best women’s ODI cricketer in 2018. Mandhana became the first Indian woman player to win this award twice.
In 2021, Mandhana scored 855 runs in 22 international matches at an average of 38.86. The same is expected from him this year as well. Excellent fifty against Pakistan, he also proved it.
4. Jhulan Goswami
Jhulan is the oldest player to play in this World Cup. When she came to play in the tournament, her age was more than 39 years and 94 days. Even at this age, she looks quite fit. Against Pakistan, Jhulan was in excellent form and also took two wickets. She is the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODI cricket.
In 196 ODIs, Jhulan has taken 245 wickets. Jhulan also won the Best Female Cricketer Award in 2007. In such a situation, the most experienced player of Team India will be responsible for bringing the World Cup home this time. Jhulan has also been the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team before Mithali Raj.