ICC Women's World Cup final 2017: India throws away victory!

India's Final Match Score Card

Harmanpreet Kaur's batting highlights in world cup semi finals

• England defeated India by nine runs to win their fourth ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 title. Chasing a target of 229, India were well on course till the 42nd over but a dramatic collapse ended their hopes of a historic win. 
• England rode on Anya Shrubsole’s 6/46 to beat India by nine runs and clinch their victory. 
• India's Punam Raut scored 86 and Harmanpreet Kaur 51.
• Indian team's play during the tournament was aptly described as - they strove, they fought, they dominated, they struggled and then they lost.
• India's batting was well until 42nd over with score card at 191 and Punam Raut fell for 5th wicket. Still India had 8 overs, 5 wickets to score just 38 runs i.e. 4.75 per over and victory was reachable.
• Earlier India in semifinals, riding on the singular & scintillating batting of Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten knock of 171* off 115 balls with 20 fours & 7 sixes, defeated Australia by 36 runs to seal the spot in the final of the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup.
• India's defeat is mainly due to losing nerves by middle & lower order while top 4 bats-woman did reasonably well. They lost last 5 wickets before adding 23 runs only and losing the match meekly.
• Due credit to England team for maintaining their nerves cool and pressure on India team.
• A record 50 million people tuned in to watch this World Cup, an 80% increase from 2013.
• The intensity of this final has no close comparisons. Such was the manner in which both teams fought that it had everything. From dubious running, dropped catches, missed run-outs, debatable third-umpire calls to brilliantly set fields, sharp cricketing brains, smart bowling changes and game changing spells, this World Cup final was a highlights package right till the very last ball.
• For years, women cricketers had taken a backseat, were neglected and ignored. Their male counterparts were worshiped while the fans could barely blurt out a name or two from women's teams. All that has changed as the women took centre stage in the 2017 event in England. This tournament will be a springboard for women's cricket around the country, and around the world.
• Finally, it is India that lost the match resulting in England's lifting the World Cup.

What men can do women can do better.