From Harmanpreet Kaur taking down the Aussies to the U-19 Champions: Top 5 moments for Indian women in Cricket World Cup history

When it comes to the biggest cricketing extravaganza in women’s cricket, the ICC Women’s World Cup, both in the T20 and 50-over format, India have savoured a flurry of exhilarating moments.

It has been a historic few days for Women’s cricket in India with the BCCI launching the WPL where RCB won their bid successfully for the Bengaluru team, and the Under-19 women capturing the first-ever Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup. Here’s a glance at the Indian women’s top five showdowns in Cricket World Cups.

1.    Shubhangi Kulkarni scripts history in 1982 by registering the lowest bowling average

In a year where India was still struggling to hit their stride in the most glorious colours, Shubhangi Kulkarni scripted history in New Zealand as she registered an overall haul of 20 wickets at a stunning bowling average of 11.70. She was also the third highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

2.    India make the cut for the World cup semi-finals for the first time in 1997

After a prolonged wait to impress in the grandest stages of all, it was a swashbuckling show from the Indian women to set themselves en route to their maiden semi-final appearance in a World Cup. Under the leadership of Pramila Bhatt, the Women in Blue booked a berth in the semis at home alongside other juggernauts of the sport featuring England, Australia and New Zealand.

3.    Neetu David’s staggering haul of 20 scalps in the 2005 Women World Cup

The 2005 World Cup stayed witness to Neetu David featuring in the pantheon of Indian bowling greats as she emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the 2005 Women’s World Cup. Her 20 wickets still remain to be the highest number of scalps claimed in an individual edition of the World Cup. David was also the first Indian bowler to claim 100 wickets in Women’s ODIs.

4.    Harmanpreet Kaur’s exploits vs Australia in the 2017 Women’s World Cup semi-final

That was the first step for the Indian management to realise that Harmanpreet Kaur was here to stay and in the evolving cricketing circuit where T20s also started coming to the fore, she blazed the trail for the Indians to smash home an iconic 171 from just 115 balls to leave Australia reeling. Riding high on Kaur’s knock, India managed to inflict a crushing defeat upon the Australians, booking a berth for the final against England.

5.    India clinch the maiden edition of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup

Brushing aside the likes of South Africa, UAE, Scotland, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, the Indian U19 women created history in South Africa by becoming the first-ever winners of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup. They beat the mighty England in the final, thanks to some electric fielding efforts coupled with disciplined bowling.