Smriti Mandhana smashed history in the third ODI against Australia, blasting a record-breaking 50-ball century - the fastest by an Indian and the second fastest in women's ODI cricket ever.
Harmanpreet-led India scripted history on Sunday, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final to secure their maiden ICC Women's World Cup title.
India have a mounting worry in the lack of runs so far from talismanic Smriti Mandhana, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and the energetic Jemimah Rodrigues.
The clash was a record-breaking one. Right from individual pieces of glory to team milestones, India opener Smriti Mandhana's records to Australia once again re-writing history books to justify the seven titles in their trophy cabinet, this match had it all.
India's World Cup-winning women's cricket team shared laughter and light moments with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, where the PM playfully asked Player of the Tournament Deepti Sharma about her now-viral Lord Hanuman tattoo.
At 16, when I first stepped into college, I also stepped straight into my first heartbreak. There was a boy, of course. We started talking, then dating, and my nave teenage self was convinced this was something special. My best friend, however, was never convinced. She said he wasn't right for me. I didn't listen. I was 16, dramatic, slightly delusional and completely in love (or so I thought).
Pacer Kim Garth and spinner Alana King are up one spot each to be fourth and fifth in the ODI bowling ranking, their highest ever.
India vice-captain Mandhana to skip WBBL for second year in row
India Women suffer injury scare as Pratika Rawal hobbles off field during Bangladesh clash
Respect over rivalry? India-Pakistan face-off awaits
A night before the historic final against South Africa, the Indian women's team captain received a special phone call and it was none other than the history maker himself.
Rawal's right foot got stuck into the turf on the final ball of the 21st over as she ran in from deep midwicket to stop the ball, and collapsed immediately grimacing in pain.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will face South Africa on Thursday and the defending champions Australia on October 12 at the ACA-VDCA stadium in Visakhapatnam.
Australia's Annabel Sutherland becomes only 2nd ODI cricketer to achieve unique birthday feat
Smriti Mandhana dropped a rung to second but Jemimah Rodrigues scaled nine positions to be 10th in the latest ICC women's ODI rankings after India's title-winning World Cup performance.
UNICEF India Ambassador, Kareena was seen wishing the Indian players before the toss.
The legendary B S Chandrasekhar and Brian Lara on Tuesday won the Lifetime Achievement awards.
The victorous Indian team sung a new victory anthem to celebrate winning their first World Cup.
Shafali toils in India nets ahead of World Cup semifinal against Australia
India's women didn't just win a World Cup, they won the nation's heart, proving that belief, courage, and grace can turn dreams into destiny.
'I think everyone's shot selections at that time... we could have done better with our shot selections.'
When there was constant criticism, Harman and Smriti kept the team together: Neetu David
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur described her team's narrow four-run defeat to England as 'heartbreaking'
Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal's 212-run stand against New Zealand is India's highest in Women's World Cup history.
Smriti Mandhana isn't actually known to be the most prolific T20 player -- her career T20 International average of 27.32 is middling at best. There have been failures too, but her ability to analyse and assess them honestly is a rarity in modern sport.
Under pressure to revive their campaign after back-to-back defeats, India will have to consider adding a sixth bowler to bring more balance to their attack when they face England in a crucial Women's ODI World Cup match, in Indore, on Sunday.
Harmanpreet Kaur's side would become the fourth team to book the semifinal berth if they get the better of the White Ferns here on the familiar mat of the DY Patil Stadium.
The wicketkeeper-batter has been retained by RCB alongside seasoned campaigners like Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry for the next year's competition, and planning is in full swing to get their hands on the elusive trophy.
Skipper Alyssa Healy led from the front with a masterful 142 as Australia pulled off a record chase of 331 to beat India by three wickets in their Women's World Cup group match on Sunday.
India's campaign was on the verge of derailment after losing back-to-back games to South Africa, Australia and England. Against England, India were cruising at 234 for 3 before failing to surpass a target of 289.
Harmanpreet Kaur overtook legendary Australian batter Belinda Clark for most runs across all ICC Women's ODI World Cup knock-out matches during the title clash against South Africa, at Navi Mumbai's D Y Patil stadium, on Sunday.
India will have a final opportunity to check their game in pressure situation when they face Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai on Sunday in what would be a dress rehearsal ahead of the marquee Women's World Cup semifinals against Australia next Wednesday.
Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma's superb all-round showing powered India to a historic first-ever Women's ODI World Cup title after they outclassed South Africa by 52 runs in the final.
India will have a final opportunity to iron out any flaws, especially when responding to pressure situations, when they take on Bangladesh in their concluding fixture ahead of Women's World Cup semi-finals, in Navi Mumbai, on Sunday.
The little girl with a plastic bat in a small town must feel that the world is open to her, just as I felt after watching a triumphant Team India in 1983, says Sachin Tendulkar.
For India, the battle is no longer about proving skill or form, but about crossing the elusive final hurdle that has so often tripped them -- including in this very tournament.
Although sidelined due to a knee and ankle injury during the group-stage game against Bangladesh and forced to miss the semifinal and the final, the 25-year-old opener received a rousing welcome from teammates and fans alike.
Smriti Mandhana smashed the second-fastest ODI century by an Indian woman as the hosts handed Australia their heaviest defeat -- a 102-run thrashing -- in the second ODI.
Deepti jumps two places to 5th, Mandhana continues to hold top spot in ODI rankings
India will search for a spark of magic reminiscent of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's legendary knock eight years ago as they take on the mighty Australia in the World Cup semi-final on Thursday.
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