The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai witnessed a thrilling encounter as Australia Women narrowly edged out India Women by a slender margin of three runs in the 2nd ODI of the Australia Women’s tour of India. Chasing the target of 259 Indian Women fell short by 3 runs handing a series victory to the visitors.
India’s Deepti Sharma picks a Fifer amidst a flurry of Dropped Catches
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia Women posted a challenging total of 258-8 in their allotted 50 overs. Phoebe Litchfield was given a life on the 3rd ball of the innings and had two more lives as Indian women looked horrible on the field. The Aussie Opener made the most of the missed chances scoring a composed 63.
Australian Skipper Healy continues her bad run of form departing for just 13 runs off a full delivery from Pooja Vastrakar, crucial contributions from Ellyse Perry (50), and Tahlia McGrath (24), propelled the visitors to a competitive score. The Indian bowlers faced a stern test, with Deepti Sharma emerging as the standout performer, claiming five crucial wickets for 38 runs.
In the bowling department, India showcased discipline, with Renuka Thakur and the spin trio of Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, and Sneh Rana picking up wickets at regular intervals. The Australians, however, managed to build partnerships, and a late flourish from Alana King (28*) propelled them to a challenging total of 258 on a surface that was offering a lot for the spinners.
Richa Gosh’s Valiant Knock Goes In Vain
Chasing 259 for victory, India Women commenced their innings with Yastika Bhatia and Smriti Mandhana at the crease. The openers gave India a good start but a brilliant use of DRS from the Australia’s gave them their first breakthrough as Yastika Bhatia left clueless to an incoming delivery from Kim Garth.
Batting up the order Richa Ghosh showcased her skill and showed a good temperament scoring 96 off 117 deliveries. She stitched crucial partnerships with Smriti Mandhana(34), Jemimah Rodrigues(44), and Deepthi Sharma(24) keeping India in the hunt in the chase.
Richa batted through the innings carrying a cramp and showed great character to give everything for the team. The wicket-keeper batter departed trying a get a boundary to reach her maiden international ton but a good take from Litchfield saw the return of the Indian batter. India still required 41 runs in 36 balls at the time of Richa’s departure and a few good hits from Vastrakar and Deepti helped India to still believe.
Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner bowled brilliantly in the last 10 overs to restrict India 3 runs short of the target. With just 22 runs required of the last 3 overs both the Aussie bowlers bowled tight lines giving away 3 runs each in the 48th and 49th overs which ultimately proved decisive. Sutherland was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with three wickets and an excellent 5-over spell in the last 10, which had precise yorkers, cutters, and back-of-the-hand slower deliveries.
A Day to forget for the fielders
The second ODI saw a total of 11 catches dropped combined from both teams. Indian women spilled as many as seven catches and gave the Aussie batters opportunities to capitalize on them. The dropped catches proved costly as Australia ended up getting at least 20-30 extra runs.
Australia tried to return the favor to Indian Women dropping four catches but they upped their efforts during the final overs and were spot on with the field placements to seal the series victory. The final ODI of the series will take place at the same venue on Jan 2.