With the superb bowling of Poonam Yadav (4 for 19) and Shikha Pandey (3 for 14), the Indian women's team defeated hosts Australia by 17 runs in their low-scoring match here on Friday in their campaign in the Women's T20 World Cup. Made a great debut. After getting the batting invitation, the Indian team could score 132 runs for four wickets despite a brilliant start, but leg-spinner Poonam Yadav and medium-speed bowler Shikha Pandey gave the Indian team a great comeback and gave Australia 115 in 19.5 overs. Played a key role in collapsing on the run.
The influence of the Indian bowlers was such that only two players could reach double digits for the hosts. Opener Alyssa Healy smashed 51 runs off 35 balls with six fours and a six, while Ashley Gardner scored 34 off 36 balls with three fours and a six. Poonam Yadav shattered the magic of her spin and took the wickets of Rachel Haynes (06), Alyssa Perry (Zero) and Jess Jonassen (02) in addition to Heely. Shikha Pandey dismissed Beth Mooney, Ashley Gardner and Annabel Sutherland. Rajeshwari Gaikwad also got a wicket. The Indian fielders eventually dismissed two players and ended the Australian innings.
Earlier, 16-year-old Shefali Verma led India to 41 runs without losing wickets for four overs. He scored 29 runs off 15 balls with five fours and a six. But after his dismissal, the innings worsened and the other batsmen were disappointed. Deepti Sharma played an unbeaten 49-run unbeaten 49 off 46 balls but showed the lack of aggression India needed in the end.
After being invited to bat, the team was in good condition for four overs thanks to Shefali's innings. However, left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen (2 for 24) took two quick wickets, including the wickets of Smriti Mandhana (10 runs off 11 balls) and Harmanpreet Kaur (two runs off five balls). This reduced India's score to 47 for three. Deepti then shared a 53-run partnership with Jemima Rodrigues (26 off 33 balls) to take India to 100 by the 16th over.
Elise Perry (1 wicket for 15) and Delissa Kimmins (1 wicket for 24) took wickets for Australia. For India, opener Mandhana got off to a good start with two fours off Perry in the second over. In the third over, Shefali also hit her cover Moli Strano on the cover and then hit a six on long on. Shefali then hit four fours on fast bowler Megan Scutt, which led to 16 runs in this over.
Jonassen then went to the bowling, taking the first blow with Mandhana's wicket. Perry then had Shefali caught by Anabel Sutherland, leaving India at 43 for two in 5.3 overs. Captain Harmanpreet also became a victim of Jonassen. Jemima once survived a decision in the DRS with a leg-before decision and along with Deepti brought the team score to 100 runs.
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