[Relive] Harmanpreet Kaur's Epic 171* vs Australia in World Cup 2017 Semi-Final That Transformed Women's Cricket in India

Harmanpreet Kaur took the Australian bowlers for a ride (Twitter)

On this day, six years ago today, the cricketing community witnessed a performance of such blistering intensity and sheer audacity that it permanently altered the landscape of women's cricket in India.

Harmanpreet Kaur's iconic 171* was more than just a cricketing knock

Indian batter, Harmanpreet Kaur produced a landmark innings of 171* runs off 115 balls against the mighty Australians in the semi-final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017.

The significant game was played at the County Cricket Ground in Derby, where Harmanpreet’s magnificent display of power and precision left spectators and opponents alike in awe. Her sensational knock propelled India into the tournament's final, marking the first time the Indian Women's team had reached this stage since 2005.

Batting first, the Indian team found themselves in a spot of bother at 35 for 2 when Harmanpreet, India's vice-captain at that time, walked into the crease. It was then that she commenced her ruthless onslaught.

The right-hander started off slow, as is her custom, building a solid foundation. It was in the last 25 overs that she really let loose, thrusting the score from 101-3 to a staggering 281-4.

Kaur's breathtaking 171 came off just 115 balls, featuring 20 boundaries and seven sixes. The standout element of her innings was her clean striking and ability to convert ones into twos, constantly maintaining pressure on the Australian fielders.

The innings was marked by a remarkable acceleration. Reacting to the situation, Kaur started meticulously, reaching her 50 in 64 balls and her century in 90 balls. From there, she went on an unstoppable rampage, adding 71 runs in just 25 balls, an astonishing feat by any cricket standard.

This belligerent knock proved to be the backbone of India's 281-4 in a rain-curtailed match of 42 overs, setting Australia a mammoth target of 282. In response, Australia fell short by 36 runs, bowled out for 245 in 40.1 overs, despite great efforts by Elyse Villani (75) and Alex Blackwell (90).

Harmanpreet's 171* is the second-highest individual score by an Indian in women's ODIs, trailing only Deepti Sharma's 188. Yet, it has the distinction of being the highest individual score in a knockout match in Women's World Cup history.

Moreover, the attacking batter's historic innings didn’t just put India into the final but acted as a game-changer for women's cricket in the country. It projected Harmanpreet to international acclaim and inspired countless young girls across India and around the world to pursue their cricketing dreams.

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