Introducing Harmanpreet Kaur: India's new cricket superstar

Harmanpreet Kaur was India's hero on Thursday afternoon as they beat six-time champions Australia to reach the final of the ICC Women's World Cup.

Kaur smashed 171 runs off just 115 balls as India set Australia 282 to win in their semi-final match in Derby.

Australia fell ultimately 36 runs short as India booked their place in Sunday's final at Lord's where they will play England.

Kaur's match-winning knock, which included 20 fours and seven sixes, was the highest score by an India player at a World Cup and drew praise from a number of iconic Indian cricketers - including the great Sachin Tendulkar. 

"Incredible batting by @ImHarmanpreet!" tweeted the 'Little Master', who holds the record for the most runs in international cricket.

India men's captain Virat Kohli also took to Twitter to congratulate Kaur on her phenomenal knock.

"What an innings by @ImHarmanpreet and a brilliant effort by the bowlers also!" wrote the 28-year-old. 

Anil Kumble, who recently stepped down as manager of the men's side, echoed Kohli's plaudits. 

"Serious batting by @imharmanpreet! What a knock!" he wrote on Twitter. 

Former England captain Charlotte Edwards called the innings one of the best she's ever seen. 

"The innings was out of this world. If you put it into context - against Australia, in a semi-final, to play at Lord's - I don't know how she's played with that freedom and power. It was unbelievable hitting," she told BBC Sport.

"That was the best innings I've ever seen and some of the best hitting you are going to see. She picked her gaps with ease, and such power."

India captain Mithali Raj hailed Kaur's contribution. 

"Harman's innings was exceptional and the bowlers have done very well. Overall, this unit looks compact now, after losing we came back and beating Australia is a huge achievement."

Speaking after India's 36-run victory over Australia, Kaur's sister compared her talented sibling's style to a mixture of Virat Kohli and Virender Sehwag. 

"Right from her childhood, she has been playing cricket with boys. Her hunger for runs never dies and this is reflected in her strike rate," her sister said.

"Harman is always positive. On field she always behaves like Virat Kohli and is aggressive like him. However, off-field, she is quite calm and composed. Right from her early days, she treated Virender Sehwag as her batting idol and even bats like him," she said.