ICC Women’s World Cup 2017: 5 takeaways for the Indian Women’s Team

India played exceptionally well during the entire length of the ICC Women’s World Cup, but succumbed to the pressure at the final hurdle. However, even after the defeat, the team garnered appreciation and praise from every nook and corner of the world.

While very few people expected India to reach the Finals, the Indian team soared above expectations to put up a marvelous show on the field. The campaign ended on a sad note, but it might have marked the beginning of a new era in Women’s cricket.

We try to figure out the positives, India can look up to from the tournament.

#5 Memories of Jhulan and Mithali’s final hurrah in World Cup cricket

Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami have been integral parts of the Indian Women team’s setup. However, they aren’t getting any younger and are at the fag end of their glorious careers. They might have played their final World Cup.

While a World Cup triumph would have added a feather to their caps, it didn’t pan out that way as India stumbled at the finishing line in the final. However, the event turned out to be one to cherish for the two Indian cricketing stalwarts.

Extra cover: A fairy-tale run with an unfortunate ending

While Mithali Raj achieved the feat of the highest ever ODI run scorer, Jhulan Goswami raised her game during the knock-out stages of the tournament. As Indian Women’s cricket moves along, memories of Raj and Goswami’s contribution in this World Cup campaign will remain etched in the hearts forever.

#4 Smriti Mandhana’s exuberance of youth

Smriti Mandhana celebrates after her ton against West Indies

Smriti Mandhana started the tournament with a couple of scorching knocks against England and West Indies. However, with the passage of time, fortunes changed for the swashbuckling left-handed batswoman as she perished cheaply in every game she featured in thereafter.

Nevertheless, loss of form is something every cricketer goes through regardless of the amount of cricket they have played over the years. Mandhana might be out of form, but she is one positive India can take home from their World Cup campaign.

With age on her side, she has enough time to grill and substantiate her talent for upcoming cricketing assignments. She possesses enough potential to be deemed as a stalwart of the Indian batting line-up in the future.

#3 Deepti Sharma’s calm head

Deepti Sharma has impressed one and all with both ball and bat

The tournament would have been picture perfect for Deepti Sharma had she been able to take India over the finishing line against England in the final. However, it can’t overshadow the impressive run she had over the course of the tournament.

She not only impressed with the bat, but has also displayed her skills as an off-break bowler. At the age of 19, she has taken giant strides into the celebrated sport. She also fielded exceptionally well and showed great agility, saving runs for India in crunch moments of a game.

While she has a calm and composed head on her shoulders, she knows exactly how to blend caution with aggression. Her performances are undoubtedly something the Indian team can take heart from.

#2 A potential finisher in Veda Krishnamurthy

Veda Krishnamurthy has the potential to be a great finisher

Coming lower down the order in the line-up, Veda Krishnamurthy’s quick-fire knocks have caught the eye. She doesn’t like opposition teams to get the measure of her and rather prefers to dictate terms against the bowlers through her unflinching approach to batting.

Even on the Finals day, she took India within touching distance of a historic win against England, but got out at a vital phase to hand the advantage back to England. Nonetheless, in the future, she can be the answer to India’s requirement of a finisher.

Her skills came to the fore when she smashed the White Ferns’ bowlers to all corners of the ground. Her performances can be considered as a big positive for the Indian team in the tournament.

#1 A matured and a reliable Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur bludgeoned her way to 171 runs in 115 balls against Australia in the semi-final

Harmanpreet Kaur is the first Indian to play overseas franchise T20 cricket and rightly so considering her fearless style of play. She doesn’t mind using her feet and also taking the aerial route. With a big and booming back-lift, she packs fair bit of a punch.

However, apart from her attacking game, she has showed maturity as a batswoman. During India’s game against Australia in the semis, she not only dragged India out of trouble, but also helped them post a daunting target for Australia to chase down.

Extra cover: ICC Women's World Cup 2017 in numbers

Even in the Final, she looked all set to post another big score, but perished after accomplishing her half century. She has shown tremendous improvement as a batswoman and can be pivotal to India’s future cricketing endeavours, at least in the limited-overs format.