Women's World Cup T20 final, Australia vs India: Key takeaways
Australia Women defeated India by 85 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to clinch their fifth ICC Women's World Cup T20 title. India Women were beaten all ends up as the Aussies gave them a mammoth target of 185. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney were exceptional for Australia, having given the Indians a run for the money. Here are the key takeaways.
Australia were all guns blazing right from the first over after electing to bat. While perpetual fireworks from Healy and Mooney propelled Australia towards the 200-run mark, Deepti Sharma and Poonam Yadav restricted the flow of runs towards the end. Chasing 185, India lost both the openers early on. Terrific spells by Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen helped Australia bundle out India for 99.
The explosive start provided by the Australian openers was reminiscent of how Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden tormented the Indian bowling attack in the final of World Cup 2003. Both Healy and Mooney piled up 115 runs together for the first wicket. While Healy scored a 39-ball 75, Mooney remained unbeaten on 78 off 54 deliveries. The duo laid the foundation of Australia's victory.
The Indian camp looked completely wavered throughout the course of the match. They were unable to settle the nerves more often than not while fielding in the first innings. Healy was dropped by Shafali Verma at covers on the fifth delivery of the match. Besides, Rajeshwari Gayakwad also failed to cling on to a catch after Mooney smashed the ball straight into her hands.
India's leading run-scorer in the tournament Shafali Verma failed to deliver at the all-important stage. She as dismissed by Megan Schutt in the first over. India were reduced to 30/4 inside the powerplay with Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur falling in quick succession. Although Deepti Sharma inspired some hope, she garnered no help from the other end to get India home.
