ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: AUS-W beat IND-W by 5 runs in semi-final; Harmanpreet heroics in vain

The mighty Aussies – who have been on a winning spree against the Indians in the multi-nation tournament – maintained their supremacy to dash the hopes of the Women in Blue of making it to the finals.

The Southern Stars, meanwhile, made it to their seventh straight ICC T20 WC final and are one win away from lifting their record-extending sixth T20 WC trophy.

Australia break Indian hearts once gain

Chasing a massive 173, Harmanpreet Kaur and her band could only muster 167 runs in the stipulated 20 overs for the loss of eight wickets. In the run chase of 173, India found themselves in a spot of bother as their top order collapsed early inside the powerplay.

Shafali Verma (9), in-form Smriti Mandhana (2) and Yastika Bhatia (4) were back in the dugout with just 28 runs on the board inside the first four overs.

Shafali was trapped in front by Megan Schutt in the second over while Mandhana became Ashleigh Gardner’s victim in the third over. The Aussie skipper went upstairs to review the LBW appeal against Mandhana and was spot on.

Jemimah and Harmanpreet revive team

But the team’s seasoned campaigners Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet shared a stand of 69 runs for the fourth wicket and revived their team. Just when things were looking in control for the Women in Blue, Rodrigues’ was caught behind by Healy off Darcie Brown for 43. The right-handed batter had faced just 24 deliveries in her innings.

But the skipper – who missed the practice sessions and looked doubtful due to illness – again proved she is Australia’s nemesis. The explosive right-handed batter – who also became the first player in the world to feature in 150 T20Is – slammed her tenth T20I half-century.

Kaur falls after fiery fifty

Kaur’s partnership with young Richa Ghosh at the other end kept Indians on the course but her knock ended against the run of play. While taking a double after hitting the ball towards the on-side, Kaur – who was charging towards the striker’s end – got her bat stuck on the ground and Healy dislodged the bails. Her memorable knock thus came to an end for 52 off 34 and it was a game-changing moment for the Aussies.

Match winner at the crease and Run out in a semi-final. We have had this heartbreak before. Sad to see India out. Were running away with the game but Australia proved again why they are a v difficult side to beat. Well tried girls #INDWvAUSW pic.twitter.com/wNsVc3vb2D

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 23, 2023

Moments later, Richa (14) also became Brown’s victim while trying to up the ante as runs dried up but she was caught in the deep by Gardner and with that India’s hopes were all but gone.

Jess Jonassen bowled the crucial 19th over for the Aussies and she conceded just 4 runs and dismissed Rana on the final delivery to all but ensure her team’s another emphatic win.

Australia post a daunting total batting first

Riding upon a half-century from Beth Mooney and explosive knocks from Ashleigh Gardner and captain Meg Lanning, Australia reached 172 for four. The Indians were to be blamed for allowing the mighty Australians to dominate the game as they dropped simple catches. The Indian fielders gave breathers to the opposition batters who made them pay for their folly.

India’s bowling effort also looked a tad disappointing as Beth Mooney extended her envious record against India with a classy 54 off 37 balls. One of the best power hitters in the game, Ashleigh Gardner, hurt India with 31 off 18 balls while skipper Meg Lanning made 49 not out off 34 balls.

Mooney, Lanning punish Indian bowlers

Australia opted to bat at a sunny Newlands and India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who chose to play the knock-out game a day after suffering from high fever, did not seem to mind Lanning’s call.

There was no swing on offer, making life a lot difficult for star pacer Renuka Thakur, whose first ball of the game was a half volley to Alyssa Healy (25 off 26) and she duly put it away.

Healy is usually the aggressor in her opening partnerships with Mooney but it wasn’t the case on this occasion. It was Mooney who got the boundaries more regularly in their 52-run stand as she manoeuvred the field beautifully with her nimble footwork against the spinners.

Shafali Verma dropped a regulation catch off Mooney at long on when she was on 32. Deepti Sharma, India’s most consistent spinner in the tournament, bowled too short in her opening spell. Her second over went for 12 runs as Mooney stepped out for a six over wide long off.

Besides the inconsistent line and length, poor fielding and catching cost India a lot of runs. Lanning, who was dropped early in her innings, made India pay with an unbeaten 49 off 34 balls. She collected two sixes and a four in the 20th over bowled by Renuka, who went wicketless in her four overs and conceded 41 runs.

Sneh Rana, playing in place of Pooja Vastrakar, was unfortunate not to pick any wicket as she troubled the batters with her flight. She could have had Lanning caught behind in her first over but wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh dropped the chance. Richa also fluffed a stumping chance of Lanning. The last five overs yielded 59 runs for Australia.

(With PTI inputs)