New Delhi, July 24 (IANS): Sports personalities have taken to Twitter to heap praise on India's women cricketers for their effort in the ICC World Cup final where they went down to hosts England by nine runs.

India looked good for major part of their 229-run chase. Led by seasoned campaigner Jhulan Goswami (3/23), India restricted England to 228/7. But despite Punam Raut's defiant 86 and Harmanpreet Kaur's dogged 51, India failed to hold their nerves towards the end, throwing away a final which was there to be won.

Commenting on the all-round show put by the Mithali Raj-led side, Geeta Phogat, P.V. Sindhu Mary Kom, Sakshi Malik, Aakash Chopra, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Shikhar Dhawan, Harsha Bhogle congratulated the team performance on Twitter.

"Well played India, you made us proud," wrestler Geeta Phogat said.

"My SALUTE to our Indian Women's Cricket team and supporting teams for an excellent performance," Indian Olympic boxer Mary Kom said.

"No matter a game won or lost but you win billions of hearts!! You made all of us proud," freestyle wrestler Sakshi Malik said.

"So near yet so far...The best ODI I've seen in a long long time. Thanks ladies. Congrats England. You held the nerve a little better," cricket commentator and expert Aakash Chopra said.

"Super proud of the girls. Tough luck today but womens cricket in India has truly arrived. Thank you girls. Salute your spirit," former India opener Virender Sehwag said.

"Tough luck @BCCIWomen what a nail biting finish to the World Cup! So proud of you all, to come so far in the tournament. congrats England," Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh said.

"Congrats England but so so proud of our girls for winning a billion hearts.
This will be a defining moment in women's cricket," former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif said.

"Congratulations to the England Women's cricket team. Well played @BCCIWomen. The entire country is proud of you for playing great cricket," Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan said.

"This experience will make the girls better cricketers. They have shown others what is possible. At least 3 cricketers will emerge from this," commentator Harsha Bhogle said.

Ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar said: "When you lose the battle but win the war! @M_Raj03 and Team you have changed the face of women's cricket in India."

Olympic 2016 silver medal-winning Sindhu wrote: "Hard luck girls ...you have done really well n made our country proud.