<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jul/poonam-raut.jpg" alt="" /> Punam Raut
While most of the attention in the ongoing World Cup has been on the likes of Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, Mumbai's Punam Raut has silently gone about her business of providing India with a solid foundation at the top of the order.
The right-handed batswoman has scored 295 runs in eight matches including a valiant hundred against reigning champions Australia in the league game. She also scored a scintillating half-century against England in the opening match of this showpiece event.
History awaits India The Indian team is on the cusp of a historic maiden World Cup triumph and Punam, 27, will stride out, bat in hand, at Lord's for the last time in this competition. She possesses all the skills to help India lift the iconic trophy and mark another important chapter for Indian women's cricket.
The previous pages were about her record 320-run stand with Deepti Sharma in an ODI against Ireland during a quadrangular series in South Africa last May.
While most of the youth played cricket for fun, things were slightly different at the Raut household from the moment an eight-year-old Punam first held the cricket bat. From the time she joined the Payyade Sports Club for her cricket sessions, the youngster has worked with a solitary mission -- donning national colours.
Highs and lows After months of gruelling practice sessions with the Mumbai team, Punam was all set to bear the mantle of serving as the opening batter for the khadoos army in domestic cricket.
The runs started flowing thick and fast from her willow and her exploits on the domestic circuit started making noises for the right reasons. Her performances at the domestic level spoke volumes of the talent exhibited by this stylish right-hand batter and she was soon included in the Indian team of the ICC Women's World Cup in 2009.
Despite not having the greatest of the tournament, she returned to India with some much-needed exposure at the international level. The lack of runs in the 2009 edition did not deter the Borivli resident as she trained harder to improve on her overall game.
However, things did not go according to plan as she faltered in the last edition of the World Cup at home. After an emphatic half century in the opening match against the West Indies, the runs dried up. A string of low scores in the tournaments that followed resulted in her ouster from the national side.
The time away from the team did not deter her. She vowed to make a comeback for the ongoing World Cup.
Lucky break The sheer weight of her domestic performances combined with an injury to Mandhana opened an opportunity for the 27-year-old to cement her place in the squad after being recalled for the quadrangular series in South Africa earlier this year. Every run in the southern hemisphere helped Punam to stay on Indian cricket's map. Doubtless, Mumbai will be cheering her on.

While most of the attention in World Cup has been on Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Mumbai's Punam Raut has silently gone about her business of providing India with a solid foundation

Women's World Cup Final: Mumbai girl Punam Raut to play significant role

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While most of the attention in World Cup has been on Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Mumbai's Punam Raut has silently gone about her business of providing India with a solid foundation

Women's World Cup Final: Mumbai girl Punam Raut to play significant role

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Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / Women's World Cup Final: Mumbai girl Punam Raut to play significant role

Women's World Cup Final: Mumbai girl Punam Raut to play significant role

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