ICC Women’s World Cup: Australia defeated India by six wickets to advance to the semi-finals. On Saturday, India was defeated by Australia by six wickets in a crucial match of the Women’s ODI World Cup in Auckland.
Australia breezed through the highest chase in Women’s ODI World Cup history. Defeating a stumbling India by six wickets and securing a semifinal berth here on Saturday. Half-centuries from skipper Mithali Raj (68 off 96 balls). Yastika Bhatia (59 off 83 balls), and Harmanpreet Kaur (57 not out off 47 balls) helped India to 277 for seven. The total had never been chased in tournament history, but given Australia’s ominous form and batting-friendly conditions at Eden Park, the Meg Lanning-led side cruised to their fifth win in a row.
A 121-run stand between openers Alyssa Healy (72 off 65). Rachael Haynes (43 off 52) got Australia off to a flying start before skipper Lanning (97 off 107) put the team on the verge of victory.
Jhulan Goswami had to defend 8 off the final over. Beth Mooney (30 not out of 20) did it in the first three balls. India’s path to the semifinals has become more difficult following their third loss in five games. The 2017 runners-up face South Africa and Bangladesh in their remaining games. If batting was a concern for India prior to the game. Australia easily reaching a lofty target has given the bowlers plenty to think about.
Along with the in-form Haynes, Healy was the aggressor, toying with the Indian attack, whether pacers or spinners.
Early on, Jhulan Goswami and Meghna Singh were either too full or too short. Healy punished them with a flurry of cover drives, cut shots, and pulls.
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ICC Women’s World Cup: IND vs. AUS
When India’s best spinner, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, entered the attack, Alyssa used the sweep shot brilliantly to increase the pressure on the opposition. India’s decision to play fewer bowlers in Deepti Sharma’s absence did not help their cause.
A passing shower interrupted play at Eden Park as Australia was marching to victory at 225 for two, but play resumed quickly and Australia finished the job with little fuss. Earlier, Mithali and Yastika held the Indian innings together with a 130-run third-wicket stand after Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma fell cheaply.
With India down to 213 for six from 158 for two, Harmanpreet launched a much-needed counterattack that propelled the team well past 250. Pooja Vastrakar provided the late flourish once more, this time with 34 off 28 balls.
Both Mithali and Yastika struggled to rotate the strike early in their innings before finding their rhythm. They made good use of the late cut against spinners Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner, who were not at their best on the day.
In addition to her first half-century of the competition, the captain hit a straight six off left-arm spinner Jess Jonasen.
Harmanpreet rose to the occasion after both Yastika and Mithali died while attempting to accelerate, ensuring her team set a competitive total. The T20 captain, who was even dropped from the playing eleven prior to the World Cup due to a prolonged lean patch, reached her third 50-plus score of the tournament, demonstrating that she is a big tournament player.
A normally disciplined Australia bowled up to 24 wides to aid India’s cause.
Brief Score:
India: 277 for 7 in 50 overs (Mithali Raj 68, Yastika Bhatia 59, Harmanpreet Kaur 57 not out; Darcie Brown 3/30).
Australia: 280 for 4 in 49.3 overs (Meg Lanning 97; Pooja vastrakar 2/43).
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