India tied scores in pursuit of 188, triggering a Super Over. India pulled off a stunning victory on Sunday to end Australia’s 11-match winning streak and level the five-match T20I series at 1-1. Harmanpreet Kaur and co. successfully defended the total after achieving 20/1 in six balls to win the second Twenty20 International.
The Indian innings, which was chasing 188, had a few hiccups toward the end. But the Women in Blue were able to tie the score, forcing a super over—India Women’s first ever. Smriti Mandhana hit debutant Heather Graham for fours and sixes. Leading India to a score of 20-1 in the Super Over, to the delight of the home crowd. Australia was then held to 16-1 by Renuka Thakur.
India made a number of adjustments to its strategy after suffering a humiliating defeat in the series opener, even though it fielded the same playing XI. India chose to field after winning the toss this time.
None of the bowlers had an impact outside of Deepti Sharma, and despite captain Alyssa Healy being caught early (25 off 15), Mooney and McGrath destroyed the Indian bowlers.
For their second consecutive 100-plus partnership, Mooney (82 not out off 54 balls) and McGrath (70 not out off 51 balls) put together an unbeaten 158-run partnership off 99 balls. Additionally, this was Australia’s highest-ever partnership for any wicket in Women’s T20 cricket. Mooney started slowly when Healy was at the crease, but she picked up her pace when McGrath came in.
They scored 53 runs off the final five overs, finding gaps with precision and pounding boundaries at will. The Indians were determined from the beginning, facing a difficult chase of 188. Smriti got off to a perfect start by hitting Kim Garth for three fours in her first over. She then went on to partner with Shafali Verma for an opening partnership of 76. Smriti accelerated with a flurry of boundaries, whereas Shafali initially took some time to adjust.
Shafali also contributed in the fifth over, which was bowled by Ellyse Perry. She scored two boundaries in a row before Megan Schutt gave her a lifeline at deep cover. Before Shafali was caught by McGrath off Alana King’s length ball around off, the openers made the most of the break and got India to 74-0 in eight overs. As a result of the loss of momentum, India soon lost its second wicket when Jemimah Rodrigues was trapped by Graham’s leg-before leg.
India needed to regroup after losing two wickets for 81 runs. Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain, was with Smriti. She got off Ashleigh Gardner with a boundary and a six, and Smriti made sure there was no pause. Australia’s first defeat of the calendar year came when Smriti hit King for a six and a four in the 13th over to reach the century mark. India looked to its core of leadership to carry them through with a win just 46 runs away.
But Graham broke the partnership when Harman slog-swept and offered Mooney a catch.
India’s woes were made worse by Sutherland’s decision to bowl out Smriti in the very next over, leaving India needing 32 runs from 18 deliveries. But Richa Ghosh stepped up and hit three quick sixes to put the Australians under more pressure.
During the final over, India required 14 runs. The equations quickly changed with Richa and Devika Vaidya present, and five from a single ball was needed to win. With the last ball from Schutt, Devika found the boundary to advance the game to the Super Over. India ended Australia’s 11-match unbeaten streak in the format and handed them their first loss since 2022.