On this day in 2005: India Women become the first Asian side to reach final of WC
On 10th April 2005, the Indian Women created history. On this eventful day 16 years back, the ‘Women in Blue’ became the first Asian side to play the summit clash of a World Cup. However, the result didn’t go their way as Australia emerged victoriously.
India and Australia locked horns at Centurion. The Australian Women won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. Even though the Australian side lost both their openers with just 31 runs on the board, Karen Rolton stepped up for her side when it mattered the most. The left-hander scored a 128 ball 107* to lend stability to the Australian side.
The other batswoman who provided adequate support to Rolton was Lisa Sthalekar. The duo of Rolton and Sthalekar were involved in a gargantuan partnership of 139 runs for the 4th wicket as the kangaroos ended their first innings with the scorecard reading 215/4.
#OnThisDay in 2005, Australia claimed their fifth Women’s @CricketWorldCup title ?
Karen Rolton registered a spectacular century in the final, propelling her side to a 9️⃣8️⃣-run victory over India. pic.twitter.com/t20H1Ph9Ut
— ICC (@ICC) April 10, 2020
In reply, the Indian side never really got going. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and did not even give a threat to the Aussies. In fact, such was the miserable performance by the Indian Women that none of the willow wielders could even cross the 30-run mark, and as many as 7 batswomen did not even score in double digits. And in the end, the Indian side was bowled out for just 117, as the kangaroos walloped the Mithali Raj led outfit by 98 runs to win the coveted World Cup Trophy.
Just a word on Australia. The Aussies have been dominant in the biggest stage of the fifty over format. In the 11 World Cups editions that have been held thus far, the Australian side has won 6 of them. But then, the Indian Women can take heart from the fact that they reached the summit clash of a prestigious tournament like the World Cup.
And, two women from the side that played the final in the year 2005 are still playing cricket for India today. Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami are still fighting it out for their country in limited-overs cricket, and this stands as testimony to their unbridled passion for the game.
