On Sunday, December 11, the Indian women’s team defeated world champions Australia at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. In the second Twenty20 International, Harmanpreet Kaur and co. won by a Super Over score to level the five-match series at 1-1.
The hosts chose to field first, and Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney were unstoppable. As their half-centuries propelled Australia to a staggering 187/1 in their 20 overs, the pair could not be dislodged once more.
The Women in Blue responded by getting off to a flamboyant start thanks to openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. However, the game went down to the wire once Mandhana left for 79. Devika Vaidya broke through the gap past the short third and backward point with five deliveries remaining to even the score.
The task of protecting 20 in the Super Over was then assigned to Renuka Singh Thakur. India prevailed by a narrow margin thanks to Ashleigh Gardner’s wicket, which was the final blow to Australia’s hopes of winning the match.
In front of a packed Navi Mumbai crowd, that victory yielded numerous lessons.
#1 Richa Ghosh is the indestructible missing piece in India’s puzzle
When Richa Ghosh was left out of the Indian team for the Commonwealth Games in 2022, there were a lot of people who were surprised. Not only does the dashing wicket-keeper batter have the ability to completely change the outcome of a game, but he can also run free of sighters and clear the fence whenever he wants.
She has provided an excellent account of the same thus far in this series. Apart from a big six in the Super Over, her unbeaten 13-ball 26 helped India draw level on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Ghosh is a middle-order hitter who can win games while also improving significantly as a wicketkeeper. He is here to stay. Because she would have to miss the tri-series in South Africa just before the senior T20 World Cup, her selection for the Women’s U19 World Cup is even more absurd.
#2 India’s fielding needs to be improved greatly
This has been a problem for a long time, and captain Harmanpreet has repeatedly acknowledged it. But India’s fielding continues to be a major source of concern and a problem for a long time.
This is further complicated by a few additional factors. Radha Yadav, their most effective fielder, is not the team’s best left-arm spinner, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad is waiting to break in. Also warming the benches is Harleen Deol, who is also very agile on the field.
Clearly, the entire group is obligated to regularly perform well in the park. Given that rookie mistakes are bound to hurt the team in a crucial game, flashes of brilliance must become a regular occurrence.
#3 The Women in Blue are strong enough to take out the Australians
The Indian team was at it again on Sunday, breaking Australia’s 26-match winning streak in one-day internationals.
Australia had won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and had not lost a T20I all year. They also had not lost a T20I all year. However, Harmanpreet and Co.’s Super Over victory brought an end to their streak.
It is evident that the Women in Blue possess the ability to overcome any obstacle presented to them when this is combined with the manner in which they ran a seemingly invincible Australian team close at the Commonwealth Games and the 50-over World Cup earlier in the year.
Naturally, there are areas that require improvement. However, all indications point in the right direction, and if everything comes together, they may not only be able to win this ongoing series but also possibly create a lasting legacy of their own.