Best ODI Knocks by Harmanpreet Kaur Harmanpreet Kaur 3 Greatest ODI Innings

Harmanpreet Kaur. (Photo Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

On this day in 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur created history with her unbeaten 171-run knock against Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 semi-final at the County Ground, Derby. With this sensational knock, she became the Indian player with the most runs in an innings in Women’s One-Day Internationals (ODI) World Cups.

So far, no other Indian player has succeeded in shattering her exceptional World Cup record. This World Cup knock against the Aussies is also Kaur’s best score in ODIs. In her vast 14-year ODI career, Harmanpreet has produced a lot of superb innings from her bat. On this special day, it’s time to revisit some of the memorable ODI knocks of her career.

Here are the three best ODI knocks of Harmanpreet Kaur

3. Unbeaten 107 vs England in the 2013 Women’s World Cup

Harmanpreet Kaur. (Photo Source: Twitter)

In 2013, India got a chance to host the Women’s World Cup, and noting this opportunity, Indian team fans were expecting the Women in Blue to lift the trophy for the first time. However, Team India’s campaign became a forgettable one, as they ended up getting eliminated in the group stage, losing to England and Sri Lanka.

Following the positive start in the tournament opener, with their 105-run victory against the West Indies, India faced England in their second contest at the Brabourne Stadium. The then India skipper, Mithali Raj, won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Charlotte Edwards-led England from the front and notched up a 109-run knock off 123 deliveries to help her team post 272 runs on the board in their 50 overs.

Pursuing the total, India lost their top-order batters at a score of 29 within eight overs. Thereafter, Harmanpreet Kaur took the centerstage and stitched a 106-run partnership with the wicketkeeper batter, Karuna Jain. After Karuna’s departure on 56, Harmanpreet held the one end but from the other side, she didn’t get enough support. In the end, India lost the contest by 32 runs but Harmanpreet grabbed a lot of eyeballs for her spunky knock of 107 in the losing cause.

2. Unbeaten 143 vs England in 2022

Harmanpreet Kaur. (Photo Source: Twitter)

India toured England in 2022 for three T20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs). After the T20I series defeat, India beat England and tasted ODI-series victory in England for the first time in 23 years. After the comprehensive seven-wicket win in the first ODI, India beat the hosts in the second game and sealed the series.

At the toss, England captain Amy Jones emerged victorious and invited India to bat first. Kate Cross provided an early breakthrough to her side with Shafali Verma’s wicket on eight, but Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia played stable knocks of 40 (51) and 26 (34) and helped India have a perfect start.

After Bhatia’s fall, captain Harmanpreet arrived at the crease and came heavily on England’s bowlers. The veteran scored 143 off 111 and riding on her scintillating innings, India gave a massive target of 334 to the hosts. Pursuing the enormous total, England’s batters lacked courage and capitulated to 245.

1. Unbeaten 171 vs Australia in the 2017 Women’s World Cup

Harmanpreet Kaur. (Photo Source: Twitter)

In the 2017 Women’s World Cup, India qualified for the World Cup final after a long hiatus of 12 years. However, their dream of winning the title didn’t get fulfilled but during their phenomenal campaign, they delivered a lot of amazing moments for their avid fans.

During the group stage, the ‘Women in Blue’ played an aggressive brand of cricket and ended up in the third spot on the points table. In the semi-final, they clashed with the defending champions Australia in Derby. On a huge day, the toss favoured the former India captain Mithali Raj and she let her side to bat first.

India got a horrendous start in the game as they lost their openers early in the form of Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut. However, Harmanpreet Kaur amassed courage and took the dangerous Aussie bowling attack to the cleaners. The veteran played a magnificent knock of unbeaten 171 runs off just 115 deliveries and took India singlehandedly to a competitive total of 281. Harmanpreet’s superb batting emboldened the confidence of Indian bowlers and they wrapped up the Aussie innings on 245 in 40.1 overs, to make it one of the most thrilling and memorable matches in the women’s World Cup history.