1. India versus England – 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup Final
Few matches had the cultural and emotional impact as the final of the 2017 Women’s World Cup. Played at the famed Lord’s Cricket Ground, India narrowly lost to England by 9 runs in a thriller. Though India lost the match, it changed women’s cricket forever by igniting interest and investment in women’s cricket at the national level in India. Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jhulan Goswami became household names overnight, and women’s cricket became part of the wider conversation.
2. Australia vs New Zealand – 2000 Women’s World Cup Final
The 2000 Women’s World Cup final in Lincoln, New Zealand was a watershed moment for women’s cricket in the Southern Hemisphere with New Zealand winning a nail-biter against the mighty Australians by just 4 runs in a low-scoring match. Besides showing how competitive women’s cricket could be, the match showed World Cup finals were not just a stroll in the park for the favorite nation. It became a spark for a generation of kiwi girls to pick up a bat and ball and aspire to play cricket for New Zealand.
3. Australia and India – 2020 T20 World Cup Final
Australia’s triumph over India in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final drew an unmatched crowd of over 86,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Although dominant in the victory, it also marked a shift in visibility and commercialisation of women’s cricket. Clearly evident from the mutliplying press of the crowd, packed ground, and global television coverage, this event confirmed women’s cricket’s status as a mass-market item. It represented a watershed moment for the game globally.
4. Thailand vs Pakistan – 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup
Thailand’s performance against Pakistan in the 2020 T20 World Cup wasn’t as headline-worthy as the finals, but it was still important from a historical perspective. Thailand posted their highest T20I total and outclassed Pakistan for large parts of the match. Although the game was abandoned due to rain, the Thai cricket team earned global respect. The match illustrated that associate countries can challenge full members and helped progress the debate around expanding international women’s cricket.
5. South Africa vs England – 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup Semi-final
South Africa’s narrow defeat against England in the 2022 ODI World Cup semi-final was possibly one of the most emotionally charged matches for many in recent memory. Both Laura Wolvaardt and Shabnim Ismail gave phenomenal performances for South Africa, but they couldn’t turn the game into a win. Nonetheless, the match represented just how close the so-called “underdogs” came to beating one of the elite teams in women’s cricket. This proved that there was a diminishing skill gap in women’s cricket, and future competitions were sure to be even more thrilling.
Rewind the Drama with Kheloexch
From exhilarating finals to inspired underdog rags-to-riches moments, women’s cricket has provided us with unforgettable matches that altered the sport’s trajectory. For fans wanting to track every run, wicket, and moment of drama—Kheloexch is the perfect fan-dedicated platform to stay up-to-date and engaged with the game. If you are new to the experience, you can jump in and start with a super quick Kheloexch Signup. If you are already a member, join your Kheloexch Login and relive the games that have changed history.
