India’s women cricket team had a terrific start to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 edition. They have begun the coveted event on a winning note. Harmanpreet Kaur-led side had registered the victory in the curtain-raiser against strong-looking Australia Women’s cricket team by 18 runs. The highlight of the match was Poonam Yadav’s bowling attack and the remarkable effort from wicketkeeper-batter Taniya Bhatia, who brought India right back into the game
India set the target of 133 runs:
Earlier, India’s captain Harmanpreet lost the toss and was handed over the task to set the target. The hosts were dominant from the start of the game because of which India had a slow start in the game. But soon, the young batter Shafali Verma showed her power and grit to bring momentum back in the game. She struck back-to-back boundaries of Ellyse Perry.
Although soon the partnership between Shafali and Smriti Mandhana was broken by the left-arm spinner, Jess Jonassen.
Notably, Australia has given two lives to Mandhana beforehand. So, India was 41 for one.
Soon, the allrounder Ellyse cut short Shafali’s innings. The promising batter scored 29 runs. Besides, Jemimah Rodrigues and the allrounder Deepti Sharma set up a 53-run partnership before the former lost her wicket to Delissa Kimmince. While Sharma missed her half-century, scoring unbeaten 49 runs off 46 balls.
Australia’s bad day:
Although the Kangaroo dominated with bowling attack, they were unsuccessful to repeat the same with the bat. Opener Alyssa Healy gave the good start to the team but soon she lost the wicket after scoring 51 runs. Shikha Pandey gave the first breakthrough to the team, picking the wicket of Beth Mooney.
Behind the stumps, wicketkeeper Taniya was the nightmare for every batsman. She claimed two catches of Australian skipper Meg Lanning and Jonassen while stumping Rachael Haynes and Annabel Sutherland. India’s overall effort led them to victory in the first match.
Poonam Yadav’s bowling attack:
When other Indian bowlers were leaking runs, Poonam Yadav came as a saviour for the team.
However, she missed the chance of hat-trick but her over was memorable. Famous for her googly, she picked back-to-back wickets of Haynes and the most crucial wicket of Ellyse.
Unfortunately, the wicketkeeper Taniya could not complete the catch of Jonassen and because of which Yadav could not register the hat trick.
Overall, she picked four wickets.
While Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Shikha Pandey picked one and three-wicket.
India’s innings:
Australia’s innings:
Meanwhile, the next clash of India is against Bangladesh on 24th February.