24/07/2017
We had to take the route of the qualifiers to seal our berth among the eight participating nations in the World Cup. On June 24, when nobody expected us to do much, we did it. We beat the hosts. Thereafter, it was a mixed bag, with wins over West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, followed by two successive losses.
With a top-four finish at stake, it all boiled down to our last league match, against New Zealand. There, too, we did what many wouldn't have backed us to do. New Zealand were triumphed, our first semi-final qualification in an ICC world event in seven years was earned.
And then came the all-important contest, against defending champions Australia, to make the finals. A knock for the ages and a terrific bowling performance booked our tryst with destiny.
On July 23, a month since our campaign began at Derby, Lord's Cricket Ground was where we were meant to be. The game was ours for the first half. The game was ours for the major part of the latter half too. But, we couldn't get over the line. England did. And much to their credit.
That we finished runners-up, however, will not take away anything from how proud we are to have stuck it out together, through thick and thin, and do our best to do justice to our love of the game.
We thank you for rallying around us, for sending your wishes and encouragement across through comments and messages.
For all that this group of individuals achieved over the past one month, for all the dreams we collectively realised, we would have taken this one last groupfie, no matter what.
Here's to the India Women's Cricket Team, all the cricket the future holds and all the future that cricket holds
