Not just the bat. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has the ability to change the game with ball in hand too, and she did just that one the third day of the one-off Test against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, December 23, 2023. (Cricket News)
The Aussies had dominated proceedings for the majority of the day and wiped off India's 187-run first innings lead, powered by Tahlia McGrath's second consecutive half-century and Ellyse Perry's 45. McGrath and skipper Alyssa Healy were at the crease and looking to take the visitors to a strong position at the end of day's play.
But that is when Harmanpreet Kaur came into the attack in the final session, and struck immediately to dislodge both McGrath and Healy. The home team's captain cleaned up the well-set McGrath with a flighted delivery, and soon went off on a celebratory run along with her teammates.
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The moment gave joy to all involved as well as watching. You can revisit the delivery and the celebration in the video below.
Spin-bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma lauded her skipper for the vital breakthrough later. "Harry di has a golden arm. She always takes a wicket whenever she comes onto bowl," Deepti told the media after the end of third day's play in Mumbai.
"She is always ready to bowl. Everyone was bowling well but we needed a magical bowler who could get a wicket since the partnership had lasted for a long time. We also got some momentum," the 26-year-old off-spinner added.
