India Women beat Australia Women in the Super Over of the second T20I to tie the five-match series 1-1 at D.Y. Patil Stadium on Sunday.
After both India and Australia scored 187 in their respective 20 overs, the match was decided by Super Over.
In the Super Over, India scored 20 runs against Heather Graham’s bowling, riding on Smriti’s quick-fire 13 off 3, Richa (6), and Harmanpreet (1).
In response, Alyssa Healy smashed Renuka for a boundary on the first ball, but she made an impressive comeback by allowing only one run on the second ball and dismissing Gardner on the third. In the next three balls, she gave up 11 runs as India eventually won the Super Over by five runs.
Previously, attacking fifties by Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath helped Australia Women to an 187/1 lead. Mooney (82 not out) and McGrath (70 not out) put on a solid unbeaten partnership of 158 runs for the second wicket against India’s average bowling and fielding.
In response, Smriti Mandhana smashed an impressive half-century to keep India in the chase until she was caught in the 17th over. Once Smriti was out, Richa Ghosh took over and smashed three consecutive sixes to give the innings the needed impetus.
India Women eventually needed 14 runs in six balls, and Richa (26 off 13) and Devika Vaidya (11 not out off 5) scored 13 runs, tying the match.
Aside from Smriti and Richa, the other main scorers for India were Shafali Verma (34 off 23) and Harmanpreet Kaur (21 off 22). With her brilliant figures of 3/22, debutant Heather Graham was Australia’s most successful bowler.
Brief scores: Australia Women 187/1 in 20 overs (Mooney 82 not out, McGrath 70 not out; Deepti 1-31) vs India Women 187/5 in 20 overs (Mooney 82 not out, McGrath 70 not out; Deepti 1-31). (Smriti Mandhana 79, Shafali Verma 34, Richa Ghosh 26 not out; Heather Graham 3-22) The game is tied.
Super Over: India W: 20/1 (1) beat Australia W: 16/1 (1)
Source:IANS