IN-W vs AUS-W Highlights for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
Defending champions Australia defeated India by – runs in a thriller on Sunday to qualify for the semi-finals of Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur tried her best with the bat and remained unbeaten in the run-chase at 54, but it wasn’t enough to hand India a victory and two crucial points on points table.
Earlier, Grace Harris, Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry’s heroics with the bat helped Australia to cross 150-run mark in a challenging surface at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
IND-W vs AUS-W Highlights, Match 18, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
Opted to bat, Australia faced a shocking start after losing their two wickets on seventeen in 3 overs.
Playing in place of regular skipper Alyssa Healy, Grace Harris displayed solid play and added 62 for the third wicket alongside the stand in captain Tahlia McGrath.
Their partnership in 54 balls provided Australia a stage to post an above par total. Skipper McGrath scored a steady 26-ball 32 before leaving the middle when Australia women were at 79 in 11.5 overs.
Grace Harris had a run-a-ball innings with 40 off 41, while the late touch by veteran Ellyse Perry (32 off 23) guided Australia to a competitive 151 after 20 overs.
Renuka Singh Thakur and Deepti Sharma grabbed 2-2 wickets each for India. While Shreyanka Patil and Pooja Vastrakar and Radha Yadav also bagged 1-1 each.
Also Read: Is Sanju Samson Better Than Rishabh Pant as Wicketkeeper Batter in T20I cricket?
India women to chase 152 in 20 overs
Shafali Verma was looking in an aggressive mode during the run-chase, but she failed to convert her 12-ball 20-run start to a big knock.
India’s vice-captain and Shafali’s opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, was seen struggling with the bat an only able to score 6 off 12.
Jemimah Rodrigues also played some great shots with the bat, but her innings was only limited to 16.
With 47 for 3 after 6.5 overs, all responsibility was on skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s shoulder. Deepti Sharma, who came in at number 5, supported the skipper well with her 29-run knock.
Team India required 40 off the final three, Harmanpreet and Pooja added 26 in the next two to narrow the margin to 14 off the final over.
The dramatic final over saw India lose four wickets while captain only able to play one ball in the over as Australia won the match by nine runs.
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Can India Women’s still qualify for semis?
India still in second spot on points table can also qualify for the semis, but only if Pakistan women defeat New Zealand women by a narrow margin.
