Read Tweets: Netizens accuse Harmanpreet Kaur of game-awareness, lauds Annabel Sutherland’s final over

In a thrilling encounter at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Australia secured a nail-biting 9-run victory over India to become the first team to officially qualify for the semi-finals.

Read Tweets: Netizens accuse Harmanpreet Kaur of game-awareness, lauds Annabel Sutherland's final over. PC: Getty
Read Tweets: Netizens accuse Harmanpreet Kaur of game-awareness, lauds Annabel Sutherland’s final over. PC: Getty

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia posted a competitive total of 151 for the loss of 8 wickets. Despite losing Beth Mooney early and promoting Georgia Wareham to number 3, who lasted just one ball, Australia bounced back strongly. Grace Harris (40 off 41) and McGrath (32 off 26) put together a crucial 62-run partnership for the third wicket, regaining control of the innings after the shaky start. McGrath, looking particularly dangerous, was eventually dismissed by Radha Yadav.

Ellyse Perry, batting at no. 5, played a brisk knock of 32 off 23, using her feet to great effect, and was well-supported by late cameos from Phoebe Litchfield (15* off 9) and Annabel Sutherland (10 off 6). The Australian middle-order kept up the attacking momentum, finishing on a solid 151/8. For India, Deepti Sharma (2/28) and Renuka Singh (2/24) were the standout bowlers, keeping Australia from posting an even bigger total.

India’s chase began with Shafali Verma (20 off 13) providing a quickfire start. However, her opening partner Smriti Mandhana (6 off 12) struggled, and India lost both openers in quick succession. Jemimah Rodrigues (16 off 12) tried to keep the tempo alive, but it was the partnership between Deepti Sharma (29 off 25) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (54* off 47) that kept India in the hunt. The pair added 63 runs, but the turning point came when Sophie Molineux dismissed Sharma, forcing her to hit to the longest part of the boundary.

Kaur, displaying remarkable grit, brought up her half-century in the penultimate over, but lacked support from the other end. Sutherland held her nerve in the final over, executing her deliveries to perfection with full and straight bowling, ensuring Australia clinched the game by 9 runs. Molineux (2/32) and Sutherland (2/22) were the pick of the bowlers, with Molineux taking key wickets, including that of Mandhana and Sharma.

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Molineux was named Player of the Match for her match-winning performance, while social media was abuzz with praise for Australia’s gritty win and India’s valiant effort. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) applauded the high-octane clash, noting India’s fighting spirit despite falling short.

Vishal Yadav, Founder & CEO at Female Cricket

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