Australia Women beat India Women
The Dr. DY Patil Stadium once again witnessed heart-stopping drama as Australia Women snatched a last-gasp victory from the jaws of defeat against India Women in the 3rd T20I. Chasing a competitive 131 set by India, the Aussies, aided by Ellyse Perry’s ice-cool 34 not out, triumphed by 6 wickets with just one ball remaining.
India started cautiously, building a platform through Smriti Mandhana’s elegant 28 and Shafali Verma’s explosive 20. Deepti Sharma (30 off 27) and Richa Ghosh (23 off 19) provided late impetus, pushing the total to 130/8. The Indian bowlers, led by Sharma’s sensational 4-22 and Pooja Vastrakar’s economical 2-8, kept the Aussies on their toes.
Alyssa Healy, returning to form with a fiery 26 off 21, set the tone for the chase. But the Indian spin duo of Radha Yadav and Sharma stifled the momentum, leaving Australia tottering at 70/4. Perry, however, remained unfazed. In a display of remarkable composure, she stitched crucial partnerships, first with Tahlia McGrath (24) and then with Phoebe Litchfield (22*), eventually guiding Australia home with a single to spare.
This nail-biting victory not only levels the series at 1-1 but also highlights the growing depth and competitiveness of women’s cricket. Both teams showcased phenomenal skill and resilience, making for a truly edge-of-your-seat spectacle. The final T20I on January 10th promises to be another exhilarating battle, with the series title up for grabs.
