India lost the final by 85 runs after being bowled out for 99 runs in chase of 185.
After Alyssa Healy (75) and Beth Mooney (78*) added 115 runs and took Australia to 184/4 in 20 overs; the only problem for them was tackling the threat of Indian opener Shafali Verma, who despite being 16-years-old, has made the cricketing world sit up and take notice.
She had made 163 runs in 5 matches in the tournament at a strike rate of 158.25 with the best score of 47 and was the reason India managed to put up defendable totals on the board in the league stages. She was the biggest threat to Australian women and getting rid of the new no.1 ranked T20I batswoman was the first and utmost importance for the home side.
That’s what Megan Schutt did on the third ball, as she had Verma caught by Healy for 2 runs and the tone of the match was set then and there. Schutt picked four wickets and Jonassen picked three as India managed just 99 runs and lost the final.
After Australia picked the final wicket and their team raced onto the field to celebrate the win, Shafali was seen crying at the loss, while being consoled first by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and then by Harleen Deol.
Here is the video:
Even the Twitterverse felt for the youngster and asked her to be strong and mentioned that it was just a part and parcel of the game.
Here are some spirit-lifting tweets by Twitterati for Shafali: