Agra welcomes its women s cricket stars

Agra July 28 (IANS) Sports lovers of the Taj city accorded a grand welcome to its cricketing stars Deepti Sharma and Poonam Yadav and national selector Hemlata Kala after the Indian team finished runners-up in the recent ICC Women s World Cup in England.

After a thumping win against Australia in the semi-finals the Mithali Raj-led women-in-blue narrowly lost by nine runs in Sunday s final against England at Lord s.

On Friday the trio of Deepti Poonam and Hemlata were taken in open vehicles from the Bhagwan Talkies crossing to the Eklavya Stadium a distance of eight kilometres with friends and family members. At every crossing they were stopped and garlanded.

Thousands turned up for the road show shouting slogans and showering rose petals.

Later a function was held at the stadium where sports persons and local citizens felicitated them and showered praises lauding their contribution to women s cricket.

--IANS
bk/tri/dg