London: Losing seven wickets for 28 runs proved vital for India in its chase, with the lower order unable to contribute in the way that England’s had earlier in the match when Katherine Brunt (34) and Gunn (25 not out) both chipped in to reach 228 for eight. 

That made the result a tough one to take for captain Mithali Raj, whose side had looked to be in control with Poonam Raut and Harmanpreet Kaur both making half-centuries in a partnership of 95. 

But with this its first final in 12 years, India’s tournament could already be considered a success for the skipper, hopeful they can now build on the foundations of making the final. “It was a brave innings from Poonam, the partnership was very important and the two really built the innings,” said Raj. 

“The lower-middle order needs to contribute, that has been a concern for a long time, batting is important and something everyone needs to do. “It’s about experience and about how composed we are in the situation. The girls weren’t experienced enough to do that, but the way they have fought through the tournament is heart-warming. “The India women’s team has a bright future, we have very talented girls – it’s just a matter of calculations, keeping your cool in the middle. 

“These girls have really set the platform for the upcoming generations in India, they’ve opened up the channels for women’s cricket and they should be really proud of themselves.” 

Meanwhile, when Jenny Gunn dropped a catch with just 10 runs needed for victory, captain Heather Knight thought they had shelled the ICC Women’s World Cup. But the captain, who herself put down a catch, believes the mental edge England gained from their run to the final helped in their dramatic victory against India. 

Knight’s side had lost to India in its opening match, but prevailed in every match since then to reach the Lord’s final, winning a nail-biting final by just nine runs in front of a sell-out crowd. That path had included tight wins over Australia in the group stage and South Africa in the last-four, but its nerve held out when it mattered most thanks to Anya Shrubsole’s six wickets. But despite the ups, downs and everything in between, Knight felt the resolve was worth its weight in gold – finally getting the chance to sing a team song in celebration. “The song is something we’ve spoken about for a long time,” said Knight.

“We knew we were in with a chance, we’ve done it the hard way in the tournament. “Every game of cricket you’re battling, in this it was for the trophy, your teammates and your country. Cricket is a funny game, we knew that if we could keep it at five or six runs an over and held our nerve that we were in with a chance. It felt It was slipping away a little bit, we fought, so proud of the girls. It’s been a theme, us fighting hard and holding our nerve which we did today." 

“Nobody likes dropping a catch – but mine was not as bad as Gunny’s! We knew we had the bowlers and the experience of getting over the line. “I felt we dropped the World Cup with Gunny’s, it was a hard one to deal with. We were on top on that stage and I thought we’d won and then lost it again.”