India in semifinal thanks to Mithali and Rajeshwari

 

Mithali Raj scored a magnificent century to secure a place in semi-finals and is the first woman to score 6137 runs  

By Kersi Meher-Homji

It was a do or die match between Indian and New Zealand women. The winner to enter the semi-final of the women’s World Cup in England, the loser to go home.

India won by a huge margin of 186 runs and now is in the semis to meet Australia on Thursday.

Sent in to bat, India scored 7 for 265 thanks to skipper Mithali Raj scoring a magnificent century (109), Harmanpreet Kaur 60 and Veda Krishnamurthy 70.   Mithali was engaged in century partnerships with both Harmanpreet and Veda.

During her innings of 69 against Australia on Wednesday, 34 year-old veteran Mithali became the first woman to reach 6000 runs in one-day internationals (ODIs). Now after her epic century against New Zealand she has scored 6137 runs at an average of 52.00 in 184 ODIs. She has hit six centuries (highest score 114) and 49 fifties. A Sachin Tendulkar- like statistics indeed!

Mithali has gone past England’s Charlotte Edward’s world record of 5992 runs at 38.16 in 191 ODIs for women.

Rajeshwari Gaekwad took five wickets for 15

Inspired by their batswomen, the Indian bowlers shot out the Kiwi girls for a measly 76 and triumphed by 186 runs. The main destroyers were left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad who captured 5 for 15 and off-spinner Deepti Sharma, 2 for 26.

With this convincing victory, India will meet Australia in the semi-final on Thursday at Derby. Earlier on Tuesday, England will face South Africa.

The winners of these two semis will meet in the finals at Lord’s next Sunday.

 

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