As history beckoned the Indian Women's Cricket Team at the ground of Lord's, with 29 runs to go, 33 balls and five wickets in hand, India, along with the world, cheered the loudest it ever had in years. A tournament worth a grand finish, as India inched its way to what seemed like a sure-shot victory, England's Anya Shrubsole poured water on its aspirations; running through the Indian line-up, finishing 6 for 46, the best in a Women's World Cup final.
A loss that left Indian fans across the globe heartbroken, the Indian team may not have won the title, but what it definitely won were a million hearts. They perhaps is the first time that the taste of failure does not quite feel as bitter. Captain and skipper Mithali Raj spoke at the awards ceremony with her head held high. She said she was proud of the team. Her pride is demanded. Her pride has paved the direction for women's cricket.
Playing against odds, Raj's team delivered the unexpected as they marched into the final of the ICC Women's World cup. Led by Jhulan Goswami, Indian bowlers restricted the three-times champions England to 228. The 5-foot-2 opener Punam Raut led India’s charge, forging a 95-run third wicket partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur. She later shared a 53-run stand with Veda Krishnamurthy, keeping India's chase on track. “I planned to stay in the middle and rotate the strike. With Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy yet to bat, somewhere I knew we can win the trophy,” Raut said. However, as wickets kept falling dramatically, India were bundled out for 219 runs, losing the final by nine runs.
“After Mithali Raj’s wicket, we were just planning to take the game till the end. In our previous matches, whenever, Mithali’s dismissal everybody used to think that the game is over. But with everyone in their fine form, I had this belief that we could go till the end,” 27 year old Raut said. “Harmanpreet was in great touch and Veda did contribute too. But Harman’s wicket changed the direction of the game. We did manage to get the game to the line and until the last over I felt that the game was in our hands. Unfortunately couldn’t finish off nicely,” she added.
Every team member a celebrity- Raj
As the country could not stop raving about the team's stellar performance, Mithali said each and every team member was now well recognised. “It was a different feeling when so many people turned up for the finals. I have been playing cricket for 18 years and it was my first experience to see so many people turning up for the match of women's cricket and we didn't disappoint any of them. We gave them (England) a tough fight and it wasn't a one-sided game.”
“In a bigger picture, I see that it has done a lot of good for women's cricket. Now people are watching and following women's cricket. Every member of the women's cricket team is a celebrity now and everyone knows who's what and what kind of role they play in the team. Earlier, it was just a couple of us that people would know and the rest of them were not known much. The girls have done very well, the credit goes to them and also very thankful to ICC for broadcasting and live streaming the matches because that has made a lot of difference.”
Raj also added, “I appeal to public not to compare women's cricket with men's cricket. I request them to see women's cricket in a different light. It's a sport in its own way.”
Fans gutted, but sounds of cheer and dhol echo the stadium
For the first time in the historical ground of Lord's, number 1 Indian Cricket Supporters Group, the Bharat Army was allowed to bring in their dhols. Over 200 members danced, ate, and sang to dhol beats in-between overs, raising the tempo of the crowd. Raj Patel, who had come all the way from Leicester said, “This match is very significant because it puts Indian women's cricket on the map and shows they can represent India in cricket. We like bringing the dhol because it creates a carnival atmosphere.”
British Indians from the group sang and danced to Ganpati Bappa Morya, flags draped around them. Danny Bhambra, from Hayes, said, “I don't think women's cricket has ever had a following like this before. It has always been dominated by men. If India wins, more investment will come in women's cricket. I wanted to show my daughter that women can make it in a men's sport.”
While the results weren't savoury, the fans knew better than to dampen their spirits. “That is two finals where we have beaten the champions and then lost. We lost to Pakistan and then to England. We were the underdogs so we deserved to win. We got so close,” said London-based solicitor Madhu Jain. Another fan said, “I am still the biggest fan of Indian women's cricket. They have created millions of fans today.”
Celebs shower praises
“T 2949- Until you loose, you shall never know the joy of victory! Well played ladies.. Bhartiya Nari Zindabad!! WWC17” tweeted ace actor Amitabh Bachchan as he participated in the Twitter shower of love. Several Indian celebrities and leaders cheered the team, congratulating them on their performance and endurance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his best wishes to the team in a tweet that read, “As our women's cricket team plays the World Cup finals today, I join the 125 Crore Indians in wishing them the very best!” He further wished every player in the Indian team's starting eleven, beginning with captain Mithali. “Captain Mithali Raj has been leading from the front. Her cool approach to the game shall surely help the entire team.” He also said that he is a fan of Harmanpreet, who made a blistering 171 runs off 115 balls in the semi final versus Australia.
The Indian men's cricket team released a 13-second video, with Captain Virat Kohli along with the entire team wishing them the best all the way from Sri Lanka. Other Bollywood celebs to cheer the team included Anushka Sharma, who said, “Salute the determination & passion shown by the women in blue! Tough luck. But girls, you've won our hearts @BCCIWomen #WWC17”
Shahid Kapoor tweeted, “This team has woken us all up to women's cricket in india. Great game girls. Almost had it. #proud”. Riteish Deshmukh said, "Men no longer the flag bearers of cricket in India, proud to see our women rightfully stand besides them. #NewHeroes #WomenRising #TeamIndia"
Akshay Kumar, who was at the stadium, physically cheering for Team India, shared a photo of him interacting with the players after match, with a caption that read, “Even Broken Hearts Can Laugh!! These Women have started a revolution & I couldn't be more proud #WWC17Final”.
