In both innings of Friday’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup opener, India were under the pump against the defending champions and hosts in Sydne...
In both innings of Friday’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup opener, India were under the pump against the defending champions and hosts in Sydney.
First, after being put in to bat first by Australia, they were struggling at 47/3 with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur gone and the fragile middle order exposed.
Then, while defending the lower-than-ideal total of 132, Australia were cruising at 67/2 after 10 overs, with Alyssa Healy having found form with a resounding fifty.
History and pedigree suggested that four-times champions Australia were in the driver’s seat for another victory in the tournament they are most successful in.
But in the end, it was a young Indian team that the cricket world sat up and took notice, courtesy of a third straight win against Australia in ICC events.
And the 17-run victory came down to two crucial performances under pressure: a match-winning spell of spin bowling from Poonam Yadav (4/19) and a match-saving knock from Deepti Sharma (49*).
India v Australia in their last three meetings in ICC tournaments 👀
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 21, 2020
2017 CWC ➡️ 🇮🇳 won by 36 runs
2018 T20WC ➡️ 🇮🇳 won by 48 runs
2020 T20WC ➡️ 🇮🇳 won by 17 runs
Bogey team? pic.twitter.com/iJ0z8F88QQ
That Sharma and Yadav turned out to be match-winners, and not the captain or vice-captain, might...
