New Delhi: Annabel Sutherland bowled a spectacular last over to help Australia beat India by 9 runs in a nail-biting thriller at Sharjah in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday, October 13. Sutherland picked up two of the 4 wickets that fell in the dramatic last over as she went on to successfully defend 14 runs off it. The loss against Australia came as a huge blow to India’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the tournament.
Skipper Harmanpreet kept India in the hunt till the last over in their tricky chase of the 152-run target in Sharjah. However, her valiant knock of unbeaten 54 went in vain as Australia managed to hold their nerves to clinch a close victory. With 14 required off the last over and a set Harmanpreet in the middle, India fancied their chances of pulling off a stunning win, however, Sutherland had other plans.
The pacer bowled a brilliant final over, conceding just 4 runs from it to seal the victory for the defending champions. She started the over with a dot ball to Harmanpreet before cleaning up Pooja Vastrakar with a low full-toss on the next delivery. Arundhati Reddy was run out on the next ball but managed to help Harmanpreet change the strike while sacrificing her wicket.
However, Sutherland kept it tight to let Harmanpreet steal only a single on the third delivery before Shreyanka Patil was run out on the next delivery. Sutherland trapped Radha Yadav lbw on the penultimate ball of the 20th over before conceding only a single to Renuka Thakur to power Australia to a sensational victory.
Harmanpreet Kaur wages lone battle for India
India got off to a decent start in the tricky 152-run chase against Australia in Sharjah with opener Shafali Verma taking charge early in the Powerplay. However, Smriti Mandhana once again failed to make an impact and was dismissed cheaply on 6 off 12 balls by spinner Sophie Molineux. Shafali too failed to convert her start into a big score and was dismissed after a quickfire 20 off 13 balls.
Megan Schutt got rid of Jemimah Rodrigues on 16 to pile pressure on India, reducing them to 47/3 in the 7th over. However, Harmanpreet joined hands with Deepti Sharma to steady the ship and bailed her team out of trouble. Deepti looked in great touch and played a good hand of 29 runs to add an important partnership of 63 runs for the 4th wicket.
Just when it looked like India were gaining momentum in the chase, Sophie Molineux got rid of Deepti to break the partnership and bring Australia back into the contest. Harmanpreet waged a lone battle to take India close to the finishing line with her unbeaten 54 off 47 balls laced with 6 fours but failed to taker her team home.
Australia remain unbeaten in group stages
Australia recorded their 4th win on the trot in the tournament to end the group stages unbeaten and on the top of the Group A points table with 8 points after 4 matches. They have already qualified for the semi-finals. In the absence of skipper Alyssa Healy, Tahlia McGrath led the Aussies in the crunch encounter and decided to bat first after winning the toss.
The defending champions rode on opener Grace Harris’ 40 and vital knocks of 32 each from McGrath and the experienced Ellyse Perry to post a fighting total of 151 runs on the board. In reply, India produced a strong fight but failed to get over the line. Sutherland was arguably the pick of the bowler for the Aussies and finished with figures 2/22 off her 4 overs while Molineux recorded figures of 3/32 off her 4 overs.
India’s semi-finals hopes dashed
It was a must-win clash for India and they failed to get the crucial 2 points to finish the group stage with 4 points from 4 matches. India are still second in Group A with a net run rate of +0.322 which is better than that of New Zealand, who too have 4 points with a game in hand. However, India’s fate now rests in the hands of Pakistan and New Zealand.
New Zealand will take on Pakistan in their final group-stage clash on Monday and India will hope they lose to qualify for the semi-finals. If New Zealand manage to beat Pakistan they will progress to the top 4 with 6 points.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten half-century went in vain as Australia defeated India by 9 runs in a nail-biting encounter in Sharjah in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday. The defeat against Australia dashed India’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the tournament. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
