India hails women cricketers

Where the men failed, India is hoping its female cricketers can blaze to glory when they face England in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Images of captain Mithali Raj and star batswoman Harmanpreet Kaur adorned front pages and dominated social media after India stunned defending champions Australia in Thursday's semifinal.

Kaur hit an unbeaten 171 to propel India into the final at Lord's, England's spiritual home.

The win comes as a welcome boost with India in need of cricket cheer after the men's team capitulated to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final last month.

The performance came as no surprise to former players who believe Indian women's team is destined for the big time.

"Hats off to Harmanpreet. It's a great victory for the India women's cricket team and for women's cricket in India," former team captain Diana Eduljee told NDTV.

"I thank the girls for the opportunity they have given to all women cricketers and the future of women's cricket is now here to stay in India.

"I am sure this victory is going to be historic as we have already beaten New Zealand, Australia and England. I'd think the World Cup is already in India irrespective of whatever happens on Sunday," added Eduljee.

Kapil Dev, who won the World Cup with the men's team, said he was "filled with pride" after seeing the women in action against the Aussies.

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: "Brilliant finish by the #WomenInBlue!...Here we come Lord's!".

Kaur, who last year became the first Indian woman to play in the women's Big Bash League in Australia, grabbed the limelight with a 115-ball innings laced with 20 fours and 7 sixes.

Widely described as an "unforgettable knock" on social media, Kaur's efforts took India to their second women's World Cup final after they were beaten by Australia at Centurion in 2005.

"This is a genuinely Kapil-Dev-at-Tunbridge-Wells kind of innings," leading Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted, comparing it to Dev's 175 against Zimbabwe in a 1983 World Cup match. "Hope it inspires other young girls to follow."

ESPNcricinfo senior editor Sharda Ugra called the win a "turning point" in Indian women's cricket, but said the performance was not a surprise.