India topped the Group B with an unbeaten record.
The big-ticket match between Australia and India in the ongoing ICC Women’s World T20 in Guyana stayed true to its name as India showed their dominance in the format over the three-time World champions.
Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and as usual, chose to bat first. Though Tania Bhatia (2) and Jemimah Rodrigues (6) failed with the bat, Smriti Mandhana (83 off 55 balls; 9 fours, 3 sixes) and Harmanpreet Kaur (43 with 3 fours and 3 sixes) 68 runs for the third wicket to put India ahead in the game.
After Harmanpreet was dismissed by Kimmince, Mandhana carried on to complete the fastest fifty by an Indian in Women T20I (off 31 balls) and eventually was dismissed for 83. The lower order failed to contribute and India finished on 167/8 in 20 overs. For Australia, Ellyse Perry picked 3/16 in her 100th T20I matches, making her the first Australian to reach that mark in Women’s T20Is.
Australia was hampered by a concussion to Alyssa Healy when she collided with Megan Schutt while going for a catch and was unable to come out to bat. Though Ashleigh Gardner (20) and Beth Mooney (19) tried to get on top of the Indian spinners, they kept losing wickets regularly.
Anuja Patil picked 3/15, while Deepti Sharma, Poonam Yadav, and Radha Yadav picked two wickets each. Ellyse Perry remained not out on 39 off 28 balls with 3 fours and 1 six to her name.
India women won the match by 48 runs and topped the Group B, making it into the semifinals unbeaten.
Twitter was in awe of the Indian team’s performance, especially the spinners and Smriti Mandhana and showered their love with tweets.
Here are some tweets:
Indn girls register an emphatic win to top their table..quite a revelation of authority with all humility in tact..that’s what Cricket’s all about..Proud of India’s Gentle Ladies Of the Willow..!!
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) November 17, 2018
What a brilliant knock by Smriti. And some fireworks by Harman, as usual. ????????????
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) November 17, 2018
Now this is the @mandhana_smriti that we all love to see!! #WT20 #INDvAUS
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) November 17, 2018
Always worth a beer when 2 Australian Cricket teams Lose on the same day .... !!!!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 17, 2018
Commanding performance by @BCCIWomen with a comprehensive win over @SouthernStars in Guyana. @mandhana_smriti and @ImHarmanpreet great batting! @vedakmurthy08 great catching!#WWT20 #WatchThis
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) November 17, 2018
What a massive win today for @BCCIWomen beating 3 time Champions Australia!
— IamKedar (@JadhavKedar) November 17, 2018
Absolutely clinical in every aspect! A delight to watch these girls compete and dominate! Keep Going ???? #WWT20 #INDvAUS
Terrific knock @mandhana_smriti
Heartwarming performance by the #WomenInBlue. Watched Harmanpreet and Mandhana bat and was riveting.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 17, 2018
Love watching @mandhana_smriti bat ???? @WorldT20 @BCCIWomen #INDvAUS #watchthis
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) November 17, 2018
A real pasting, that’s what Australia got from India today. Well done India!????????????????#ICCWomensWorldT20
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 17, 2018
Many congratulations India on a thoroughly dominating performance and beating the Aussies for a 4th consecutive win . Wishing the team all the best for the semis @BCCIWomen #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/1ChqOf5Qon
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 17, 2018