Former India opener Virender Sehwag had a special message for the India women's cricket team ahead of its ICC Women's World Cup 2017 final against England on Sunday. The Indian women are on the cusp of history as they hope to end their fairytale run in the tournament by winning their maiden title. Sehwag, the 38-year-old destructive batsman who decimated some of the best bowling attacks in his hey days, wished Mithali Raj's girls before the summit clash to be played at The Home of Cricket - Lord's.
The India women defeated defending champions Australia by 36 runs in the semi-final. Punjab batter Harmanpreet Kaur hammered an unbeaten 171 and powered India to an imposing 281/4 in the rain-reduced 42 overs-a-side match. The Indians then backed it up with a disciplined bowling effort to dismantle the six-time world champions at 245 and entered the final for only the second time in history.
Lauding the victory over Australia, Sehwag said the women have managed to do what even the men couldn't do. Interestingly, the Indian men's team, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, had lost to Australia in the semi-final of the 2015 ODI World Cup.
"The Indian women's cricket team has done what even the men's team couldn't do. In the 2015 ODI World Cup, the men's team lost to Australia in the semi-final and our girls defeated Australia, who were strong contenders to win the Cup, in the semi-final," Sehwag said in a video posted on Instagram.
Viru wished the women's team and hoped that the Mithali Raj and Co. will play with the same level of intensity in the final and will make the nation proud.
"Had a lot of fun watching the match. I hope our girls will play with the same level of intensity in the final and will win the Cup and make the country proud. All the very best!" he added.
With Australia out of the way now, Sunday could prove to be the moment that changes the course of women's cricket in India.
