Harmanpreet's century is the first by an Indian batswoman in T20I cricket.
The sixth edition of the ICC Women’s World T20 got underway with India taking on New Zealand in the first match of the tournament at the Providence stadium in Guyana.
Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first on a slow looking pitch on which the ball wasn’t bouncing too much.
The opening partnership of Taniya Bhatia (9) and Smriti Mandhana (2) added 9 runs. But the star for India proved to be captain Harmanpreet Kaur who brought up India Women’s first ever T20I century with a dominating 103 in 51 balls with 7 fours and 8 sixes to her name and striking at a strike rate of 201.96.
She was well supported by Jemimah Rodrigues (59), as Harmanpreet hit the White Ferns’ bowlers to all parts of the ground and hit sixes that transcended the boundaries. Her dominance with the bat led India to a formidable total of 194/5 in 20 overs.
Only Suzie Bates from New Zealand showed some zeal with 67 runs as Indian spinners ran riot with D Hemalatha picking 3/26 on T20I debut and Poonam Yadav picking 3/33. New Zealand ended up making 160/9 in their 20 overs.
India Women won their first encounter of the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 by beating New Zealand women by 34 runs and Harmanpreet Kaur deservedly won the Player of the Match award for her century.
Twitter exploded as Harmanpreet’s century gave India a big win over the White Ferns and showed their support and showered praises in form of tweets.
Here are some tweets:
What a start to women’s t20 cricket World Cup.Brilliant batting by @JemiRodrigues to keep things calm in the middle & supporting @ImHarmanpreet who played an unbelievable knock to become 1st Indian women to score t20 hundred ????????.I’m sure bowlers can pull things off from here????
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) November 9, 2018
What an innings by @ImHarmanpreet As Captain you want to lead well & in the #WT20 you want to start off well. She has certainly done that!! 103(51) 7x4 8x6!!! pic.twitter.com/IIwuk0Rns1
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) November 9, 2018
Well played @ImHarmanpreet what an innings 103 in 51 balls #icc woman t20 World Cup# WI
— Naman Ojha (@namanojha35) November 9, 2018
Harmanpreet Kaur , wonderful hundred. Great bat swing in a really zordaar innings pic.twitter.com/lTfG5hsSkD
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 9, 2018
Eight sixes & seven fours ????
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) November 9, 2018
That's how @ImHarmanpreet kicked off the #WWT20 campaign for Team India in style.
103 runs in just 51 balls is an incredible innings. To do that walking in at No 5 makes it even more special. Let the records galore #INDWvNZW
Started slowly....but finished strongly.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 9, 2018
आप अपने आग़ाज़ से नहीं,
अपने अंजाम से पहचाने जाते हैं...
Well played, Harmanpreet Kaur. ???????????????? #INDWvNZW
A captain's knock from @ImHarmanpreet. First ???? for India in T20Is & that too at the biggest stage. Well played! ???? @BCCIWomen @WorldT20 #WT20 pic.twitter.com/XvB0uve32U
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) November 9, 2018
Absolute Class!! #WT20 https://t.co/fm4Z5IhoBb
— IamKedar (@JadhavKedar) November 9, 2018
Diwali fireworks in Guyana!
— surya77 (@surya_14kumar) November 9, 2018
8⃣ Sixes
7⃣ Fours
103 runs in 51 balls!!????@imharmanpreet your rocketing sixes were just amazing.#WWT20 #INDvNZ #WhatAPlayer pic.twitter.com/7gYb85uKnl
UNSTOPPABLE@ImHarmanpreet #GoGirlsinBlue ????????????
— Sushma Verma (@ImSushVerma) November 9, 2018