Derby, 2017, a moment etched forever in Indian cricket history. Harmanpreet Kaur’s explosive unbeaten 171 against Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final not only powered India into the final but also transformed the narrative around women’s cricket in the country. Years later, the India captain fondly remembers the emotions, clarity, and self-belief that fueled her iconic knock.
“It was very special because we were playing knockouts, and I knew that and if today I can play my best innings that can really change things for us and the self-talk was something which really motivated me to do well. That game was only 42 overs, and it was raining, we didn’t know how many overs we were going to get but my plan was very much clear. We only talked about if less overs are there, I’m going to open, if we have more than 40 overs then it will be the same batting order. So, a lot of clarity was there, a lot of self-talk was there that really helped me.”
“It’s one of my best innings in my life, which always gives me confidence to do well in my career and hopefully the way I batted that day I’ll continue the same approach and the same mindset in my upcoming career,” said Harmanpreet Kaur reflecting on her 2017 World Cup knock at Derby.
Her knock didn’t just inspire her teammates on the field; it left a lasting mark on everyone watching from the dugout. Smriti Mandhana, who witnessed the innings firsthand, described it as unforgettable.
“By far the best innings I’ve seen in my life for sure. I remember a lot of people keep talking about that innings, but, of course, before that there was a lot of noise around Harman (Harmanpreet Kaur) and all of those things. But the way she batted that day and, you know, we all were very emotional from the dugout. Just to see her, in the way she hit and to get us to that sort of a total, that was the best knock I’ve seen for sure,” said Smriti Mandhana, reflecting on Harmanpreet’s masterclass.
That semi-final knock was more than just runs on the board. It was a statement of belief, resilience, and the rise of women’s cricket in India. For Harmanpreet, it remains a career-defining memory; for Indian cricket, it remains a turning point.
And now, with the 2025 ODI Women’s World Cup on the horizon, Harmanpreet’s words and memories of Derby serve as a reminder of what she and her team are capable of on the biggest stage.
The innings that inspired a generation continues to fuel India’s ambitions, and as the 2025 World Cup approaches, fans will be hoping for another chapter of brilliance from the Indian skipper and her team, one that could once again redefine the course of women’s cricket in the country.
