Harmanpreet Kaur’s brilliant knock of 171 runs from just 115 balls against Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final was applauded by everyone. Her innings propelled India to a mammoth total of 281 runs against the defending champions and steered them to their second final appearance in the tournament’s history. In the second innings, the Indian bowlers came back and took the team to a 36 run-win.
Kaur’s knock has since been compared with Kapil Dev’s fantastic 175 run innings against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. Ravi Shastri, currently India’s head coach and a member of the victorious 1983 squad, posted a picture of both Harmanpreet and Kapil Dev along with a caption reading “Deja Vu”. Commentators Harsha Bhogle and Alan Wilkins too made the comparisons.
Reacting to the comparison, Kapil Dev expressed his displeasure and said that it was unfair to compare the two innings, according to TOI report.
“It’s an unfair comparison. You can’t compare those two knocks. Right now, you shouldn’t bring what happened in the past. Right now, we should celebrate Harman’s innings,” he said.
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“The feeling is as if India has already won the World Cup. The final match is yet to be played against England on Sunday and I wish them all the luck,” he added.
The former Indian skipper also revealed that he couldn’t watch the spectacular knock by Harmanpreet Kaur. “I couldn’t see Harman’s knock live, but I am certainly going to catch up with the recorded version of it. It’s a great honour for our country to see such a knock from Harmanpreet Kaur. Her inning is special because women’s cricket doesn’t get that kind of encouragement, it is a special day for Indian cricket,” said Dev.
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In 2005, the Indian women led by Mithali Raj had reached the final of the ICC World Cup. They had lost to Australia by 98 runs at Centurion Park. They finished seventh in the last edition of the tournament.
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