The Melbourne Cricket Ground was filled with 86,174 spectators who came to watch the T20 World Cup Finals on March 8. The match between India and Australia in front of this big crowd set the record of the highest attendance for any Women’s sporting event in Australia. The Women in Blue were badly defeated by the host and defending champions team Australia by 85 runs.
Proud moment for each and every Australian fan out there.😍🇦🇺#T20WorldCupFinal #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/oLP82ReVVR
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) March 8, 2020
After winning the toss, Meg Lanning’s side chose to bat. Alyssa Healy scored outrageously as she made 75 runs with 7 fours and 5 sixes. Deepti Sharma brought a spark of hope with her bowling as she got 2 wickets (2/38). But, The opening duo who scored 115 runs credited to Alyssa alongside Beth Mooney, made the Indian team worried.
Australia gained confidence and was able to perform at their level best with 184 runs. Healy was awarded the Player of the match for her extraordinary performance and Beth Mooney was named the Player of the tournament for her consistency. Mooney scored 259 runs in 6 innings, making her the lead run-scorer of the tournament.
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT!
BETH MOONEY. #INDvAUS #AUSvIND #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Aq5vEGJtci
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) March 8, 2020
The Indian team failed to perform well at the finals and crashed miserably. When Verma was out in the first over, it was the most helpless moment for all Indian supporters. Jemimah was out without scoring a single run, Smriti could only make 11 before she was out. They lost the momentum and the match.
However, Harmanpreet’s led side played brilliantly throughout the tournament except for the finals. Though the final match was disappointing for the squad, yet they inspired millions of people across the globe to take up the sport.
Team India received tons of love and positive messages from fans and cricketers, even after their defeat. Former Indian Cricketer Gautam Gambhir was one of the well-wishers who tweeted and congratulated the women’s team for inspiring girls across India by being an example of powerful women who shined with their achievements despite obstacles.
“Gautam Gambhir tweeted, “Till a few years ago, nobody could have imagined that a billion eyes would be glued to Women’s Cricket World Cup. Cups will come & go, but today is a victory for each & every INDIAN GIRL who dared to defy odds & societal barriers! #SheInspiresUs, Congrats to Australia!”
Till a few years ago, nobody could have imagined that a billion eyes would be glued to Women’s Cricket World Cup
Cups will come & go, but today is a victory for each & every INDIAN GIRL who dared to defy odds & societal barriers! #SheInspiresUs 🇮🇳
Congrats to Australia!
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 8, 2020
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