Harmanpreet Kaur's 171* Explained: The Innings That Changed Women's Cricket
Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten 171 vs Australia (2017 Women's ODI World Cup semi-final, Derby, July 20, 2017) — India's greatest women's batting performance, how the innings rescued India from 0/1 in over 1, the 115-ball century, the match's impact on BCCI's investment in women's cricket, and Harmanpreet's career arc.
Harmanpreet Kaur's 171* vs Australia (Women's ODI World Cup semi-final, Derby, UK, July 20, 2017) is the single most important innings in the history of women's cricket in India — not only because of its quality (it won the match and sent India to their first Women's ODI WC Final in 17 years) but because of its commercial and institutional impact: BCCI's investment in women's cricket accelerated dramatically following this innings and the Indian public's emotional response to it. The match was broadcast live on Indian TV to significant audiences — the game-changing moment that proved women's cricket could attract Indian viewership at scale.
The Innings: Rescuing India from 0/1
India vs Australia (Women's World Cup semi-final, Derby, July 20, 2017): India batted first. Punam Raut (0) was dismissed off the second ball of the match — Australia's pitch and swing conditions claimed an early wicket. Harmanpreet came in at number 3 at 0/1, facing an Australia team that had dominated women's cricket for decades and was overwhelming favourite. What followed: 115 balls to reach her century (the equal-fastest Women's World Cup century at the time), then continued to 171* from 115 balls total — reaching 171 not out from only 115 deliveries (strike rate 148.7). She hit 20 fours and 7 sixes. India reached 281/4 in 42 overs (rain interruption reduced the match to 42 overs per side, DLS applied). Australia were bowled out for 245 — India won by 36 runs (DLS). Harmanpreet's innings: she played the pull shot, the cover drive, the slog sweep, and the lofted drive with complete command — the innings resembled a T20 knockout performance in an ODI World Cup semi-final.
Impact on Indian Women's Cricket and BCCI Investment
The commercial and institutional impact of Harmanpreet's 171*: (1) BCCI investment: BCCI announced immediately post-tournament that India's women's team would receive improved central contracts (previously, India's women's cricketers were on minimal contracts — approximately Rs 50 lakh annually for the highest-paid; the post-2017 reform improved this significantly); (2) ICC broadcasting: the 2017 Women's World Cup Final (India vs England at Lord's, July 23, 2017 — England won by 9 runs off the last ball in a dramatic finish) achieved viewership numbers across India that surprised broadcasters; (3) WPL creation: the long-term legacy of the 2017 World Cup's Indian public engagement was the Women's Premier League (WPL) — launched in 2023 with 5 franchises, auction purses competitive with overseas women's leagues, and strong Indian broadcast deals; (4) Shafali Verma's emergence (2019): India's next major women's cricket star was discovered and developed within the post-2017 infrastructure investment — the pipeline between Harmanpreet's 2017 innings and India's 2023-2024 women's cricket improvement is direct.
Harmanpreet's Career and Legacy
Harmanpreet Kaur (born 1989, Moga, Punjab): India's most important women's cricketer for her batting power and captaincy. Career highlights: 100+ Women's T20I matches; 4,000+ Women's T20I runs; IPL-equivalent recognition in WBBL (Sydney Thunder), BBL (2016), and WPL (Mumbai Indians captain, 2023). As T20I captain: led India to the 2020 Women's T20 WC Final (MCG, lost to Australia). Her batting style: aggressive, power-hitting middle-order bat — her T20I strike rate (around 135) is the highest among India women's batsmen with 2,000+ T20I runs. Post-2017 significance: Harmanpreet's 2017 innings specifically attracted the attention of overseas franchise leagues — she became one of the first Indian women's cricketers to play in the WBBL (an Australian domestic T20 league), which broadened her skills and helped her develop the T20 power-hitting that now defines her game.
Frequently asked questions
What score did Harmanpreet Kaur make in the 2017 Women's World Cup?
Harmanpreet Kaur scored 171* (not out) vs Australia in the 2017 Women's ODI World Cup semi-final (Derby, UK, July 20, 2017) from 115 balls — strike rate 148.7, 20 fours and 7 sixes. It was the highest individual score in a Women's World Cup knockout match. India won by 36 runs (DLS) and reached their first Women's ODI WC Final in 17 years. The innings is considered the most important batting performance in Indian women's cricket history.
Did India win the 2017 Women's World Cup?
No — India lost the 2017 Women's ODI World Cup Final to England (Lord's, July 23, 2017) by 9 runs. India scored 219 all out; England reached 228/7 off the last ball. Despite Harmanpreet's 171* in the semi-final and an extraordinary Final, India fell 9 runs short. Anya Shrubsole (England) took 6/46 in the Final. England won their 4th Women's World Cup. The Final's dramatic finish — India needing 9 from the last over — was watched by India's largest women's cricket TV audience to that date.
Who is Harmanpreet Kaur?
Harmanpreet Kaur (born 1989, Moga, Punjab) is India's most dominant women's cricket batsman and T20I captain. Known for power-hitting in the middle order, she scored a famous 171* in the 2017 Women's WC semi-final vs Australia. She has 100+ Women's T20I caps, 4,000+ T20I runs, and has captained India in multiple Women's T20 World Cup campaigns (including the 2020 MCG Final, lost to Australia). She was Mumbai Indians captain in the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL, 2023). She has played in WBBL (Australia) and other international T20 leagues.