Mumbai Indians

It wasn't meant to be...Australia crush India’s hope of a semi-final spot as they win five out of their five games to seal the top spot of group A with 10 points. Earlier, Harmanpreet Kaur did try her best with a half ton, but 170 was just not enough. The match may not have gone in our favour, but the support for India continues no matter what.    

Smriti-Shafali stitch 66 runs opening stand

India got off to a good start as Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma played sensibly. They targeted the bowlers well, played along the ground when necessary. A 66 runs opening stand did put pressure on the Aussies as they were unable to get a wicket. India notched up 43 runs during the first six overs of powerplay. Smriti contributed 38 while Shafali added 34. Shafali became the first Indian to score 100 plus runs and pick up five plus wickets in a single edition of the ICC T20 World Cup.

Kaptaan Kaur leading from the front

Fortune favours the brave, skipper Harmanpreet saved her best for the last…slamming a quick-fire half ton, 56 in 27 balls, with six fours and three maximums. She paced her knock well, helped keep the score board ticking with runs and ensured India reached a fighting total. She took the attack back to the opposition, towards the latter half of the contest. In the process, she also stitched a 64 runs partnership for the third wicket along with Jemimah Rodrigues. India scored 36 runs in the last two overs. Harmanpreet Kaur is third on the list, scoring the fastest 50 off just 25 deliveries against the Australia women. Her half century is also the fastest for India women in T20 WC.  

For Australia Sophie Molineux snapped up 2/46 in her four overs. The Women in Blue ended their innings with 170/4 in 20 overs

India bowlers on top…game on

At the 10 over mark, the Aussies were 72/3 as Renuka Singh, Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma all picked one wicket apiece. India did put pressure on their opponents as the match was very much in the balance. Voll, Mooney and Litchfield all got starts but were unable to convert it into big scores.

Perry-Gardner take Australia over the winning line

Just when it looked India were very much in the contest, Australia’s star batter and Player of the Match Ellyse Perry and Ashley Gardner took it upon themselves to help their side come closer to the semi-final. Perry did well to reach her 56 in just 38 balls. Together both batters stitched a 100 runs partnership. Gardner also got to a half ton in style, ending with 53*.

In the end, Australia won comfortably by six wickets as Georgia Wareham smashed a boundary to help get the winning runs as India’s T20 World Cup journey came to an end.

Brief Scores

India: 170/4 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 56; Sophie Molineux 2/46) lost to Australia: 172/4 in 19 overs (Ellyse Perry 56, Ashleigh Gardner 53*; Shree Charani 2/32) by six wickets.