Clinging to their World Cup hopes by the skin of their teeth, India will be hoping for a spark of magic, perhaps something reminiscent of Harmanpreet Kaur’s iconic 171 not out from the 2017 semifinal when they meet the mighty Australia in Thursday’s second World Cup semifinal at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Harmanpreet’s breathtaking innings in Derby not only dismantled the Australians but also marked a turning point for Indian women’s cricket. Eight years later, the context feels eerily similar, with a captain searching for inspiration after a few inconsistent performances in a crunch knockout affair that could further elevate the status of women’s cricket in the country.

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After enduring a tense group stage that saw them lose three consecutive matches, India clawed

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