It was a competitive match in the second women's T20 between India and Australia, although Australia managed to secure a six-wicket victory, leveling the three-match series. Deepti Sharma's remarkable all-round performance wasn't enough to carry India over the finish line.
Despite India's struggle to capitalize on their starts, Deepti's contribution with both bat and ball was significant. Her crucial knock of 31 runs helped India reach a total of 130/8. Later, she showcased her bowling prowess with an impressive spell of 4-0-22-2, keeping the crowd engaged at the DY Patil Stadium.
However, the target set by India wasn't sufficient to challenge the Australian team. With just 15 runs required off 12 balls, Phoebe Litchfield's quickfire 18 off 12 balls, including two fours in the penultimate over, dashed India's hopes. In their pursuit, Australia relied on Ellyse Perry's fine unbeaten 34 off 21 balls, which included three fours and two sixes, ultimately securing their victory with a six.
Throughout the match, India struggled to convert promising starts into substantial scores. Despite contributions from players like Smriti Mandhana (23), Richa Ghosh (23), and Jemimah Rodrigues (13), the team couldn't build momentum. Deepti Sharma's resilience was evident as wickets continued to fall steadily from the other end.
Australia's bowling, particularly Kim Garth's 2/27 and Georgia Wareham's impressive 2/17, restricted India's scoring opportunities. Despite the efforts of individual players, India fell short of posting a competitive total.
The upcoming match, serving as the series decider, will be played at the same venue on Tuesday, offering India another chance to claim victory and win the series.
(With Agency Inputs)
