2017: Indian cricket vaults to new high amid off-field controversies

New Delhi, Dec 29 (CRICKETNMORE) - The Indian men's cricket team achieved many highs in 2017 -- winning 37 out of their 53 matches across all formats -- even as the women hogged the limelight by finishing runners-up at the

Making it past the league stages was unthinkable for many before these women made it possible in 2017.

Stunning England in their opener, the Indian eves went on a hat-trick streak by beating the West Indies, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with brilliant performances by Smriti Mandhana, Ekta Bisht, and Deepti Sharma.

Then came the masterstroke from the Indian vice captain and star all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur, who single-handedly carried India to the final, scoring a brilliant 171 off 115 balls against Australia in the semi-final.

India gave hosts England a run for their money in the summit clash before going down narrowly by nine runs, but that performance was enough to give oxygen to women's cricket, which will move into 2018 with bigger hopes.