Harmanpreet Kaur had a heartfelt gesture for Kranti Gaud after India clinched the three-match ODI series against England with a 13-run victory on Tuesday, July 22, at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street.
Kranti delivered a sensational performance, becoming only the third Indian bowler – after Jhulan Goswami and Jasprit Bumrah – to claim a six-wicket haul in an ODI on English soil.
Harmanpreet, who was named Player of the Match for scoring her seventh ODI century, chose to share the award with Kranti. She also signed the match ball used by Kranti to take her six wickets and presented it to her as a token of appreciation.
Praising Kranti’s maturity and composure, Harmanpreet credited her for effectively using the experience gained from playing for India A and the UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
“I want to share my Player of the Match award with Kranti because she bowled one of the best spells of her career. It’s a fantastic achievement, especially as a fast bowler-we’ve been longing for bowlers of her quality. She brought all her experience from playing for India A, the WPL, and domestic cricket, and executed it perfectly. She truly deserves this, and I’m really happy for her,” Harmanpreet said.
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Harmanpreet, Kranti drown England
With impressive figures of 9.5-1-52-6, Kranti dismissed Amy Jones, Tammy Beaumont, Alice Davidson-Richards, Charlie Dean, Lauren Filer, and Lauren Bell. On the back of her spell, India bowled England out for 305 in 49.5 overs while defending a target of 318.
Earlier, after India elected to bat first, Harmanpreet led from the front with a superb knock of 102 off 84 balls, laced with 14 boundaries. She was well-supported by Jemimah Rodrigues (50) and Richa Ghosh (38*), helping India post a competitive total.
In the second innings, Kranti stepped up and ensured England never took control of the chase. She finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series, claiming nine wickets at an outstanding average of 15.11.