Mithali Raj chosen to captain 2017 Women’s World Cup team of the tournament
Indian skipper Mithali Raj was named the captain of the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup team of the tournament as chosen by five experts in spite of the Women in Blue ending as the runners up. The other Indians in the team included star batsman Harmanpreet Kaur and off-spinner Deepti Sharma.
A panel comprising of cricketing experts Geoff Allardice, Ian Bishop, Charlotte Edwards, Snehal Pradhan, and Lisa Sthalekar named the team of the Women's World Cup and chose Mithali Raj to lead the squad.
The Indian side crumbled under pressure against England in the final at Lord's, after being in a commanding position in the match, to miss out on a chance to lift their maiden title. However, the 34-year old Raj left an everlasting impact on the World Cup scoring 409 runs in the tournament ending up second on the list of highest run-getters. Apart from the three half-centuries in the tournament, Raj played a sensational knock of 109 against New Zealand to guide the Indian eves into the semi-finals.
The other Indian players that were included in the team of the tournament were explosive batter Haramanpreet Kaur who was the star in India's semi-final win against Australia with her 115-ball 171 and off-spinner Deepti Sharma who contributed with both bat and ball scoring 216 runs while scalping 12 wickets.
Hosts England dominated the team with 4 players that included highest run-getter Tamsin Beaumont, the hero of the final Anya Shrubsole, wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor, and Alex Hartley. Three South African made it to the team that included skipper Dane van Niekerk apart from Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp. Only one Australian in the shape of all-rounder Ellyse Perry could find a place in the team.
TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT: Tamsin Beaumont (England), Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa), Mithali Raj (captain) (India), Ellyse Perry (Australia), Sarah Taylor (wicketkeeper), Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Deepti Sharma (India), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Dane van Niekerk (South Africa), Anya Shrubsole (England), Alex Hartley (England). Natalie Sciver (12th) (England)