This day 31 years ago, Purnima-led India created history by winning Centenary Cup

Women’s cricket in India has revolved around the likes of Diana Eduljee and Shantha Rangaswamy to Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami to Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana. These three generations of cricketers have etched their names in the annals of women’s cricket and also in the memories of fans in this country. Yes, these three groups have remarkable achievements to back their credentials.

But there is one generation of cricketers, who are now mostly the ‘forgotten ones’ but they were the pathbreakers. This generation, which was sandwiched between the Eduljee and the Mithali eras, was similar to Kapil Dev’s Devils. The legendary team had won the 1983 World Cup and, thereafter, cricket was not the same in the country. The fillip which the Prudential Cup gave to Indian cricket is phenomenal.

India women who won the centenary Cup in 1995. (Standing L to R):  Smitha Harikrishna, Neetu David, Purnima Rau, Pramila Bhatt, Kalyani, Laya Francis, Aarti Vaidya, Sandhya Agarwal, Anjum Chopra.
(Sitting L to R): Chanderkanta Kaul, Sangita Dabir, Rita Dey, Rishija Mudgal, Renu Margaret, Anju Jain. Pics: Sportstar

Thirty-one years ago, on this day (February 25, 1995), a team led by Purnima Rau created history by winning the Tri-nation Centenary Cup in New Zealand. This was India’s first overseas victory and also their first one-day series triumph. It came during the Centenary celebrations of New Zealand Cricket.

Unfortunately, not many remember this triumph which laid the foundation for subsequent victories.

First overseas win for India

“People remember Shantha, Diana or Mithali and Jhulan but we won without any one of them,” Purnima told Khel Khiladis on Wednesday. “We won the Centenary triangular series beating Australia and New Zealand for the first time. It was the first overseas win for India,” she said.

“Unfortunately, not many remember this landmark feat. The men’s triumph in 1983 is etched forever but, sadly, our achievement has not been given its due credit. We are a sandwiched generation of women cricketers. But we did achieve something which the others should be proud of,” Purnima said.

“To beat the likes of Belinda Clark, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Karen Rolton, Melanie Jones etc… one of the best Australian sides was not a joke. We played some really serious cricket during that tour and triumphed,” Purnima added.

Kristy Bond, the prolific New Zealander, is caught behind by Anju Jain off Purnima Rau

“The Indian men were playing the quadrangular series, involving Australia, New Zealand, England and India, there during the same time. Unfortunately, they lost the series, while we managed to claim our first trophy,” Purnima said.

Incidentally, the Indian team was led by Mohd Azharuddin. “It was a delightful time for Hyderabad cricket as both of us were leading the Indian teams during that period,” Purnima said.

The all-rounder has fond memories of the series. In fact, she had written an article in The Sportstar after returning from the conquest.

Red-letter day in history of Indian women’s cricket

Describing the final against New Zealand, Purnima wrote: “February 25, 1995, would be ranked as one of the special days in my life and a red-letter day in the history of Indian women’s cricket. Though we had played the New Zealanders before and beaten them, this match was different because it contained everything for us. The pressure was tremendous and again the toss went against me at the Eden Park, Auckland.

“This time after the victory at Hamilton, (New Zealand skipper) Sarah (Illingworth) put us into bat. The wicket was easy paced and good for batting. I was sure of 225 plus knowing out batting strength and its exploits earlier. Sandhya (Agarwal) and Arti (Vaidya) made good knocks of 30s. They built a platform for a good score. (Sangita) Dabir, Pramila (Bhatt), Smitha (Harikrishna) and I had fruitful partnerships and we finally ended up with 200 for nine in 50 overs. I scored 48 and was run out in the penultimate over,” wrote Purnima.

The Kiwis, after two jolts, steadied things up with Kristy Bond (37) and skipper Sarah Illingworth doing the bulk of scoring. Sarah got 51 and threatened to steal the game away from the Indians. However, the mounting run-rate took a toll on the Kiwis. Purnima took three for 50 and Neetu David got two for 34.

“Now we geared up for the last and final session. I could feel a kind of new strength as we trooped onto the field. The pace bowlers, who were not at all fully utilised in the earlier games, came good, especially young Smitha, who gave away just 18 runs in 10 overs. The required run-rate kept mounting, though the spinners were tackled quite well by the Kiwis. I was pretty expensive though I got three wickets.

“I must compliment my teammates for their fantastic ground fielding. They stopped those vital runs with their clean pick-ups and throws right from the fence. Yes, the catching could have been better but it still was an effort which will linger in my memory for a lifetime, and also in all those who watched us in flesh and blood that day,” wrote Purnima in her article.

Kudos to Purnima and her bunch of ‘daredevils’ who showed that Indian women cricketers are no less than anyone else in the world. The victory in 1995 laid the seed for India’s ultimate World Cup victory in 2025

“It was the most ecstatic moment of our lives when we held the Centenary Cup in our hands. The memories we have brought back are something we would cherish throughout our lives. The pioneers of women’s cricket in India had laid the foundation for us to build on and this victory is dedicated to them for their painstaking efforts,” Purnima had stated.

Purnima remembers that day vividly

It has been three decades since that memorable day but the memories are still fresh in Purnima’s mind. She does recollect everything about that historical day. Only thing she desires is that her team is given its due credit and acknowledgement. The Continental Cup victory may not have revolutionized Indian women’s cricket like the 1983 World Cup triumph did for men’s cricket but it is still a glorious achievement for a bunch of women, who stood no chance against the mighty Australians and New Zealanders. Beating both of them in their own backyard definitely ranks on the top of the list.

Kudos to Purnima and her bunch of ‘daredevils’ who showed that Indian women cricketers are no less than anyone else in the world. The victory in 1995 laid the seed for India’s ultimate World Cup victory in 2025.

SCOREBOARD

India women: Sandhya Agarwal lbw Campbell 32, Anju Jain lbw Withers 0, Arati Vaidya c Hockley b Campbell 31, Chanderkanta Kaul c Flavell b Harris 5, Purnima Rau (run out) 48, Sangita Dabit lbw Musson 22, Pramila Bhatt c Hockley b Drumm 9, Smitha Harikrishna c Withers b Harris 13, Renu Margrate (not out) 8, Anjum Chopra c Illingworth b Withers 4, Neetu David (run out) 3; Extras: (B2, LB9, W14) 25. Total: (All out in 50 overs) 200.

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-77, 3-82, 4-84, 5-125, 6-153, 7-184, 8-185, 9-193.

Bowling: Katrina Keenan 8-0-32-2, Julie Harris 10-3-26-2, Justine Russell 3-0-15-0, Karen Musson 9-0-34-1, Catherine Campbell 10-1-25-2, Emily Drumm 9-0-46-1, Sarah McLauchlan 1-0-11-0.

New Zealand women: Debbie Hockley c Agarwal b Harikrishna 4, Katrina Kennan st Jain b Bhatt 11, Kirsty Bond c Jain b Rau 37, Trudy Anderson c Rau b David 13, Emily Drumm c Rau b Dabir 21, Sarah Illingworth c Margrate b Rau 51, Karen Musson st Jain b Rau 14, Sarah McLauchlan c Aheer b David 4, Julie Harris (not out) 14, Justine Russell (not out) 8; Extras: (W3) 3. Total: (For 8 wickets in 50 overs) 180.

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-26, 3-56, 4-79, 5-89, 6-138, 7-144, 8-159.

Bowling: Renu Margrate 7-0-26-0, Smitha Harikrishna 10-2-18-1, Pramila Bhatt 9-1-22-1, Neetu David 8-0-34-2, Purnima Rau 10-0-50-3, Sangita Dabir 6-0-30-1.