Australia Women bounced back strongly to level the three-match T20I series 1–1 with a comprehensive 19-run win over Indian Women in the second T20I at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on February 19.
After being put in to bat by India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, the hosts rode on a commanding opening partnership between Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney to post 163/5, before Ashleigh Gardner’s decisive three-wicket haul ensured India were restricted to 144/9 in the chase.
Having opted to bowl first, India were hoping to replicate their control from the opening game of the series. However, Australia’s opening pair had other ideas. Voll and Mooney got the innings off to a measured start before gradually accelerating through the Powerplay, with the former taking on the bulk of the scoring responsibility. Australia reached 48 without loss in the first six overs, with Voll particularly severe on anything pitched short or outside off-stump.
The duo stitched together a century stand that laid the platform for a formidable total. Voll looked in ominous touch throughout her stay at the crease, timing the ball crisply through the off-side while also targeting the leg-side boundary against India’s pace attack. By the halfway mark of the innings, Australia had raced to 103/0, leaving the Indian bowlers searching for breakthroughs.
India finally managed to break the partnership in the 15th over when Mooney miscued a full delivery and was caught at mid-on. While the wicket brought some respite, Voll continued to anchor the innings with authority. The right-hander eventually departed for a well-crafted 88 off 57 deliveries, falling while attempting to accelerate in the death overs.
To India’s credit, the bowlers staged a mini comeback towards the end of the innings. Arundhati Reddy led the charge with disciplined variations, while Renuka Singh Thakur and Shree Charani ensured Australia could not fully capitalise on their strong start. The hosts managed only 60 runs in the final eight overs, losing four wickets in the process, including run-outs of Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham in consecutive deliveries.
Australia eventually finished on 163/5, a competitive but not insurmountable target on a surface that offered consistent bounce.
India’s chase began on a promising note, with openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma providing early momentum. The pair struck seven boundaries in the first five overs, reducing the required run rate to under eight an over and momentarily putting the Australian bowlers under pressure.
However, the turning point came in the seventh over when Ashleigh Gardner trapped Shafali Verma lbw with a quicker delivery that skidded through. Gardner struck again soon after, dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues as India lost two wickets in quick succession.
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Mandhana’s departure shortly thereafter further dented India’s hopes. The left-hander edged behind off Kim Garth as the visitors slipped to 90/3 in the 12th over, falling behind Australia’s scoring rate at the same stage. With the required rate climbing steadily, India needed a period of consolidation followed by acceleration in the latter stages. Instead, Australia’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure through tight lines and disciplined field placements.
The decisive blow came in the 17th and 18th overs when India’s middle order collapsed under scoreboard pressure. Harmanpreet Kaur holed out attempting a big hit down the ground, while Gardner returned to dismantle the lower order by removing Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma in quick succession.
From a relatively stable 108/3 in the 15th over, India slumped to 130/6 within three overs, effectively putting the contest beyond reach. Despite a late effort from the lower order, the visitors were eventually restricted to 144/9 at the end of their 20 overs. Gardner finished as the pick of the Australian bowlers with three crucial wickets, while Garth and Molineux provided valuable support at key stages of the innings.
Australia’s all-round performance ensured they drew level in the series after two games, setting up a decisive final T20I. For India, while the bowlers showed encouraging signs of recovery in the death overs, the middle-order collapse during the chase will be a concern heading into the series decider.
