Did Harmanpreet Kaur Share the POTM Award with Kranti Gaud for Their Series Deciding Victory?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Harmanpreet Kaur demonstrated excellent sportsmanship by sharing her award.
- Kranti Gaud achieved a remarkable six-wicket haul.
- India Women's cricket team secured a 2-1 series victory over England.
- The match showcased the strength of fast bowlers in women's cricket.
- Harmanpreet's century was a key factor in the victory.
New Delhi, July 23 (NationPress) Captain of the India Women’s cricket team, Harmanpreet Kaur, shared her Player of the Match accolade with fast bowler Kranti Gaud, who significantly contributed to the team's triumph in the series decider by taking six wickets during her overs at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street.
This act by Harmanpreet showcased her admiration for Gaud’s match-winning display, as she gifted her a signed ball featuring a heartfelt message: "Dear Kranti, you are a star." The ball also bore Kranti's impressive bowling statistics (9.5 overs, 1 maiden, 52 runs, and 6 wickets).
In a stunning performance, Harmanpreet Kaur scored an 84-ball 102, which formed the bedrock of India’s series-clinching 13-run victory over England in the third ODI at Chester-le-Street. This marked Kaur’s first century since June 2024 and stands as the second-fastest century by an Indian woman in ODIs. Her innings propelled the visitors to a solid total of 318/5.
Despite England's valiant efforts led by Nat Sciver-Brunt's 98 and her 162-run partnership with Emma Lamb (68), they ultimately fell short, bowled out for 305. Kranti achieved her maiden five-wicket haul, concluding with 6 for 52, securing the game for India by 13 runs with one ball to spare, thereby winning the three-match series 2-1.
Kranti has now become the fifth Indian bowler and the youngest to achieve a six-wicket haul in WODIs. She also stands as the second Indian to accomplish this against England, following in the footsteps of Jhulan Goswami (2005).
"I am honored to receive the Player of the Match award. I wish to share it with Kranti because she delivered one of the finest spells in her career. This is a remarkable achievement for a bowler, especially for Indian fast bowlers, who have long sought recognition. Her experience from the WPL and domestic leagues has been invaluable here. She truly deserves this recognition, and I’m thrilled about this ball," Harmanpreet expressed in a video shared by BCCI on X.
After an impressive T20I series victory of 3-2, the women in blue went on to secure the three-match ODI series. The visitors kicked off the ODI series on a high note with a comfortable four-wicket win, taking a 1-0 lead against England. However, the hosts bounced back with an eight-wicket win at Lord's, leveling the series, which India ultimately clinched by 13 runs, marking a successful tour of England.