Indian women create history by winning T20I series against Australia

The Indian women’s cricket team created history by winning a series against the Australian women’s cricket team for the first time ever at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday. The Mithali Raj-led side won the second match of the three-match series by 10 wickets.

The match was initially reduced to 18 overs a side due to rain in Melbourne. The Indian team had lost their first seven T20I encounters against the Australians, but now they have won three from the last four matches.

Due to overnight rain, Indian captain Mithali Raj did not waste time before opting to field after winning the toss. Australia endured an early setback in the form of opener Grace Harris in the first over.

The hosts put up a fighting total of 125 for the loss of eight wickets in the scheduled 18 overs. Australian captain Meg Lanning was their highest scorer with 49 runs in 39 balls. Jess Jonassen also supported her captain well with a fighting 27. The third highest scorer for the hosts was extras – the Indians gave away 15 extras.

India’s premium fast bowler and former captain Jhulan Goswami was the pick of the Indian bowlers. She picked up two wickets and gave away only 16 runs in her quota of four overs. Rajeshwari Gayakwad also picked up two wickets.

Poonam Yadav and Harmanpreet Kaur also chipped in with one wicket apiece. Kaur also made a crucial breakthrough in the field by running Lanning out one short of her half-century.

In reply, both the Indian openers Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana batted with ease as they knew if they don’t lose many wickets and if the rain stops the match, Duckworth-Lewis method would be in their favour. The Indian skipper played a superb innings of 37 not out from just 32 balls and she was very well supported by Mandhana with 22.

When rain interrupted play again, the Indian opening pair cruised to the revised score of 69 in just 9.1 overs.

It was a very disappointing bowling performance from the Australian team as none of the bowlers were able to pick up a single wicket. Only Jess Jonassen and Lauren Cheatle had their economy rate below 5.

Brief scores:

AUS 125/8 from 18 overs (Lanning 49, Jonassen 27; Goswami 2/16, Gayakwad 2/27)

lost to

IND 69/0 in 9.1 overs (Raj 37*, Mandhana 22*; Jonassen 0/7)