Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India edged past Australia in the second T20I to level five-match bilateral series 1-1 on Sunday. Blistering knocks from Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma paved the way for the hosts to tie the match as the 2nd T20I went into a Super Over in search of a winner. Mandhana’s batting masterclass and Renuka Singh’s bowling heroics fashioned India’s sensational win in the Super Over thriller at the jam-packed Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.
Taking to Twitter after India’s memorable win over Australia, former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes showered praise on the Harmanpreet-led side as the Women In Blue handed the visitors their first-ever defeat in the 2022 season. “Jeepers, SA not even playing, and I am pacing up n down…,” the legendary cricketer said in his tweet. In a separate post, Rhodes hailed the batting brilliance of Mandhana and Ghosh during India’s innings in the Super Over.
Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer posted a hilarious meme to celebrate Team India’s remarkable win over the Alyssa Healy-led side. “TAKE A BOW @BCCIWomen That was sensational #INDvAUS,” Jaffer tweeted. Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also lauded the Harmanpreet-led side on Twitter. “What an unbelievable match! First defeat for Australia in T20I this year and in such a fashion…well played #TeamIndia @mandhana_smriti @TheShafaliVerma @13richaghosh take a bow!#INDvAUS,” Karthik said in his tweet.
Talking about the recently concluded encounter between India and Australia, Beth Mooney smashed a quick-fire 82* (54) while premier batter Tahlia McGrath scored an unbeaten 70 off 51 balls to help the visitors post 187-1 in 20 overs. Leading India’s charge in the high-scoring contest, opener Mandhana top-scored for the hosts while opener Shafali chipped in with a crucial knock (34) before Richa’s explosive 13-ball 26 forced the 2nd T20I into the Super Over. Courtesy of Mandhana and Richa, India posted 20 runs in the Super Over. Defending the total in the Australian innings, pacer Renuka leaked 10 runs as India ended Australia’s unbeaten run in the shortest format.
Indian opener Mandhana was named the Player of the Match for her batting heroics. “Chasing I think everyone in the Indian team enjoys. We also need to work on setting totals though. When they were batting, I realised it was an amazing wicket, I had my eyes on a big score. Didn’t want to make the same mistake as the last innings. Happy to see such wickets prepared for women’s cricket, you’ll get high scores, high run chases. I think this is one of the most entertaining games we’ve all been a part of,” Mandhana said after the match.
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