Xtra Time Web Desk: Harmanpreet Kaur led India had to settle for silver as they lost to Australia women in the final of women’s T20 cricket in Commonwealth Games 2022 by 9 runs at the Edgbaston ground on Sunday. It was yet another case of so near yet so far for the Indian women cricketers.
Chasing 162 to win, India was in the hunt with Harmanpreet (65 off 43) and Jemimah Rodrigues (33 off 33) were at the crease. But the dismissal of the Indian women captain triggered a mini collapse as last five wickets fell for only 13 runs.
Rodrigues played the anchor as Harmanpreet played attacking shots, particularly against the Aussie spinners. Alana King was taken apart and so was Tahlia McGrath as Harmanpreet ensured that the required run rate never went out of reach.
However, an inspired change from Meg Lanning saw Megan Schutt clean up Jemimah to break a 96-run partnership. Ashleigh Gardner then struck twice in one over to remove Pooja Vastrakar and Harmanpreet Kaur to turn the game in Australia’s favour. Needing 11 in the final over, Yastika Bhatia couldn’t do much as Jess Jonassen finished the job for the women in yellow.
Earlier in the day, captain Meg Lanning won the toss and Australia decided to bat first at Edgbaston. The Aussie captain along with Beth Mooney stitched a wonderful 74-run partnership to put Australia on top.
Ashleigh Gardner played a quick fire cameo as Mooney got to another half century. The Indians bounced back with regular wickets to restrict Australia to 161 runs in their 20 overs.