Women’s World T20: India crushes Australia by 48 runs, spinners shine

Guyana: India continued their winning streak as they registered a comprehensive victory of 48 runs over mighty Australia to top the Group-B at the Women World T20 here on Saturday.

Chasing a total of 168 runs, Australia could score 119/9 runs in 19.4 overs. Alyssa Healy did not bat due to injury.

Indian spinners never allowed Australia to settle down. Beth Mooney and Eluse Villani put on 27 runs for the opening stand. Deepti Sharma got two consecutive wickets in fourth over. After that, Australia kept losing their wickets at regular intervals.They never looked in the chase.

Anuja Patil bagged three wickets, while Sharma, Radha Yadav and Poonam Yadav also chipped in with the ball as they also took six wickets between them, giving India its fourth consecutive victory in the tournament.

Except Ellyse Perry, no one was able to face the wrath of Indian spinners. She scored unbeatable 39 runs off 28 balls.

Earlier in the day, India won the toss and elected to bat first.

India got off to a bad start as they lost their first wicket in the form of Tanya Bhatia (2) in the second over.

However, Smriti Mandhana did not feel any pressure and kept hitting boundaries. On the other hand, Jemimah Rodrigues (six) kept quiet throughout the 44 runs partnership for the second wicket.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Mandhana added 68 runs off just 42 balls for the third wicket partnership, helping India to get past 100 runs mark.

Kaur was dismissed by Delissa Kimmince for 43 runs off 27 balls.

After this partnership, India kept losing their wickets at regular intervals but managed a healthy total of 167 runs in their stipulated 20 overs.

Mandhana was the highest run-scorer for India with her quick knock of 83 runs in just 55 balls. She was caught by Ellyse Perry, who became the first player to earn 100 T20I caps for Australia, off Megan Schutt in 19th over.

Perry took three wickets in her three overs and conceded 16 runs, while Ashleigh Gardner and Sophie Molineux bagged two wickets each.

Smriti Mandhana was named as Player of the Match. (UNI)