Indian women scripted a thrilling win against defending champions Australia in the opening match of the T20 World Cup in Sydney on Friday. India won by 17 runs as Australia were all out for 115 against India with one ball remaining.
Australia were off to a good start to their chase with opener Alyssa Healy (51) making a 35-ball 51 laced with six boundaries and a six to anchor the chase initially.
Indian women, who were defending a low total, were back in the game after a deadly spell by bowler Poonam Yadav. Yadav's spell of 4 wickets for 19 runs, including two in successive deliveries of the 12th over, broke the backbone of Australia's chase. Yadav's plunder included the wickets of Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Ellyse Perry and Jess Jonassen.
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Soon, the tables turned around as what was thought to be an easy win for Australia was suddenly poised in India's favour. Ashleigh Gardner (34 off 36) tried her bit but didn't get any support from the other end.
Earlier in the day, Indian women, who were sent for batting by Australian skipper Meg Lanning, failed to capitalise on the amazing start of opener Shafali Verma.
Sixteen-year-old Verma took India to 41 for no loss in four overs with a typical 29 off 15 balls, but her fall derailed the innings as the other batters disappointed. India were cruising when left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen (2/24) snapped two quick wickets, Smriti Mandhana (10 off 11)and Harmanpreet Kaur (2 off 5) to reduce India to 47 for three. Verma also departed soon.
The women, however, managed to score 132 as Deepti Sharma made a composed 46-ball 49 in the second half of the innings.
India will next take on Bangladesh at Perth on February 24.
