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India vs Australia Highlights, Women's T20 World Cup 2023: Australia beat India by 5 runs to enter the final

IND vs AUS Women Live: Defending champions Australia held their nerves as they beat India by five runs in a thrilling Women's T20...

The Times of India | Feb 23, 2023, 22:31:54 IST

COMPLETED - 1st Semi-Final -
IND-W  
167/820.0 Overs
COMPLETED
AUS-W  
172/420.0 Overs 
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22:31 (IST), Feb, 23

Match Report: Australia beat India by 5 runs to enter seventh straight final

India went down fighting against defending champions Australia in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup semi-final match on Thursday, losing a closely-fought contest by five runs in Newlands, Cape Town. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (52 off 34) scored a magnificent fifty, and added a valuable 69 runs for the fourth wicket with Jemimah Rodrigues (43 off 24), but failed to take India home. Chasing a challenging 173-run target, India’s lower-order batters succumbed to pressure and could manage just 167 for 8 in their 20 overs.

21:58 (IST), Feb, 23

One of the best wins I have been involved in. To fight back from behind well behind and win despite not playing our best cricket. India have got some incredible players. Came right down to the wire and we had to seize those clutch moments. We stayed in the game and that's what you got to do under pressure. We didn't execute as well as we would have liked, but we never panicked. Can't wait to be out here on Sunday.

 

- Australia captain Meg Lanning

21:56 (IST), Feb, 23

Can't be unluckier than this, to get that momentum back when me and Jemi were batting. We didn't expect this. The way I got runout, can't be unluckier than that. We discussed about fighting till the last ball. The result didn't go our way, but I am happy with the way we played in this tournament. We know we have a good batting line up even if we lose early wickets. Jemi was outstanding today. Happy to see those performances. Happy to see them play their natural game. We gave those easy catches away. We can only learn from these lessons and not repeat the mistakes.

 

- India captain Harmanpreet Kaur

21:55 (IST), Feb, 23

Bowling the last over, my average heart-rate is probably like 190. That just shows the way we fight as a team, and that's what we kind of spoke about in the huddle right at the end. We probably weren't in a winning position and that's what this team does best. When our backs are up against the wall, we find a way and we scrap really hard and that's what we did today with the ball. I think we set up the game really well with the bat, probably missed a few with the ball but I think that fight we showed shows the character of this team. (Meg was telling me to) just be really clear with what I want to execute, we obviously know that they have handy batters all the way down, so it's about being clear on what you want to do and not give any freebies. I was just trying to hit the wicket and keep the stumps in play as often as possible. Always nice spending time in the middle, spending time with Meg as well. She is always calm and keeps it simple out there. I felt with the confidence coming into this game after the couple of innings I have had throughout this World Cup, I guess I gotta take that confidence into the next game and then hopefully win in the final.

 

- Ashleigh Gardner

21:51 (IST), Feb, 23

Australia in final!

21:50 (IST), Feb, 23

Player of the Match: Ashleigh Gardner (31 off 18 & 2 for 37)

21:42 (IST), Feb, 23

It's all over! Australia (172/4) beat India (167/8) by 5 runs to enter final

Deepti Sharma (20* off 17) hit a four off the last ball bowled by Ash Gardner, but it was not enough for India in the end. India fell short by 5 runs in the big chase of 173 runs. Australia are through to their seventh straight final at the T20 World Cup with the victory.

21:41 (IST), Feb, 23

OUT! Ash Gardner strikes to dismiss Radha Yadav (0) | India 162/8 in 19.4 overs, need 11 off 2 balls

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21:36 (IST), Feb, 23

OUT! Jess Jonassen cleans up Sneh Rana for 11 | India 157/7 after 19 overs, need 16 off 6 balls

WHAT AN OVER! Jess Jonassen produced a stunning over to tilt the game in favour of Australia. A wicket and just four runs in the penultimate over of the run chase. She also clean bowled Rana off the final delivery. India are in deep trouble as they need 16 off the last over.

21:31 (IST), Feb, 23

India 153/6 after 18 overs, need 20 off 12 balls

11 RUNS! 1 1 Wd2 4 1 1 1 - A good one for India. Sneh Rana (8*) hit a four to score 11 runs off Megan Schutt. India are very much in the game.

21:30 (IST), Feb, 23

FOUR! Sneh Rana brings up India's 150 with a four off Megan Schutt | India 150/6 in 17.3 overs, need 23 off 15 balls

21:27 (IST), Feb, 23

India 142/6 after 17 overs, need 31 off 18 balls

Another tidy one at this stage for Australia. Ashleigh Gardner gave away just 7 runs in it including a four hit by Deepti Sharma (8*).

21:24 (IST), Feb, 23

OUT! Darcie Brown strikes to dismiss Richa Ghosh (14) | India 135/6 after 16 overs, need 38 off 24 balls

What an over! Darcie Brown has almost turned the game upside down with a stunning over -- a big wicket and just one single in it. The dot balls put pressure on big-hitting Richa Ghosh (14 off 17) and the India batter went for a big one off the final delivery and was holed out at long-on by Tahlia McGrath. India are in trouble now. Brown's final figures: 4-0-18-2.

21:18 (IST), Feb, 23

India 134/5 after 15 overs, need 39 off 30 balls

Big breakthrough for Australia and a lucky one. India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was run-out for 52, off 34 balls, after her bat got stuck in the ground near the crease. Harmanpreet smacked a six and six fours and added a quick 36 runs for the fifth wicket with Richa Ghosh to keep India in the hunt.

21:16 (IST), Feb, 23

OUT! Harmanpreet Kaur run out for 52 (off 34 balls) | India 133/5 in 14.4 overs

21:15 (IST), Feb, 23

FOURS & FIFTY! 4,4 - Harmanpreet Kaur (51*) races to her 10th T20I fifty off 32 balls, with two back-to-back fours off Georgia Wareham | India 132/4 in 14.2 overs

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21:13 (IST), Feb, 23

India 124/4 after 14 overs, need 49 off 36 balls

13 RUNS! 1 0 N1 1 4 1 4 - Harmanpreet Kaur (43*) hit a cracking four over the point fielder, before Richa Ghosh (14*) smashed a stunning inside-out four to open her boundary count. India are on the course at the moment. 13 runs off Tahlia McGrath.

21:12 (IST), Feb, 23

FOUR! Harmanpreet Kaur (42*) smashes Tahlia McGrath over the point fielder for a four | India 119/4 in 13.4 overs

21:08 (IST), Feb, 23

India 111/4 after 13 overs, need 62 off 42 balls

Brilliant at this stage from Darcie Brown, just four singles in it. The pacer was a bit unlucky though, missing the wicket of India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, on 36. Keeper Alyssa Healy failed to grab the thick edge behind the stump. It was a tough chance but catchable.

21:03 (IST), Feb, 23

India 107/4 after 12 overs, need 66 off 48 balls

No boundaries, but India batters Harmanpreet Kaur (35*) and Richa Ghosh (6*) managed to score nine runs off Megan Schutt in it. Required run rate is still below 9 per over for India.

20:59 (IST), Feb, 23

India 98/4 after 11 overs, need 75 off 54 balls

Pacer Darcie Brown came back into the attack and gave Australia a massive breakthrough, removing the in-form Jemimah Rodrigues (43 off 24; 6x4s). Jemimah, who was going strong in the middle, went for a ramp shot off a short delivery but guided it straight to keeper Alyssa Healy. Jemimah added a valuable 69 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. A big wicket and just five runs in it.

20:57 (IST), Feb, 23

OUT! Darcie Brown removes 'dangerous' Jemimah Rodrigues (43 off 24) | India 97/4 in 10.2 overs

20:56 (IST), Feb, 23
20:52 (IST), Feb, 23

Drinks Break! India 93/3 after 10 overs, need 80 off 60 balls (Jemimah Rodrigues 39* & Harmanpreet Kaur 33*)

13 RUNS! 4 1 1 4 2 1 - Another big over and India are very much in the hunt at the moment. Jemimah Rodrigues (39* off 22) smacked two glorious inside-out drives over the extra-cover fielder for two fours in it and collected 13 runs off Georgia Wareham in the over. India need 8 runs per over from here to enter the final.

20:48 (IST), Feb, 23

India 80/3 after 9 overs | Target - 173

A good one for Australia. Jess Jonassen gave away just six runs in it. No boundaries.

20:48 (IST), Feb, 23

* 50-run stand between Harmanpreet and Jemimah | India 78/3 in 8.4 overs

20:45 (IST), Feb, 23

India 74/3 after 8 overs | Target - 173

Harmanpreet Kaur (28* off 16) started the over with a four to score nine runs in it. Megan Schutt recovered well to concede five singles after being hit for a four off the first delivery. India are progressing well at the moment despite three early wickets.

20:42 (IST), Feb, 23

India 65/3 after 7 overs | Target - 173

Georgia Wareham came into the attack and bowled a tidy one for Australia. The spinner gave away just six singles in it.

20:39 (IST), Feb, 23

End of Powerplay! India 59/3 after 6 overs, need 114 off 84 balls

12 RUNS! Wd 2 1 0 6 1 1 - Harmanpreet Kaur (18* off 9) is keeping India's scoreboard ticking with regular boundaries. She smoked Jess Jonassen for a six to score 12 runs in it. Back-to-back big overs for India.

20:38 (IST), Feb, 23

SIX! Harmanpreet Kaur (17*) charges down and smokes Jess Jonassen over long-on for a big six | India 57/3 in 5.4 overs

20:34 (IST), Feb, 23

India 47/3 after 5 overs | Target - 173

14 RUNS! N1 4 1 Wd 4 1 1 0 - A big one for India. Jemimah Rodrigues (16*) smashed a four off the free-hit ball, before Harmanpreet Kaur (11*) added her own to score 14 runs off Ellyse Perry. India need more such overs to be in the hunt today.

20:28 (IST), Feb, 23

India 33/3 after 4 overs | Target - 173

Wd Wd 0 Wd 0 0 W 4 1 - A dramatic over from Darcie Brown. Three wides, a run-out and a boundary. India are in deep trouble now after losing three quick wickets in the big chase. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur opened her account with a first-ball four in it too.

20:27 (IST), Feb, 23

OUT! Yastika Bhatia run out for 4 | India 28/3 in 3.4 overs

20:22 (IST), Feb, 23

India 25/2 after 3 overs | Target - 173

10 RUNS! 0 W 4 4 2 0 - Ash Gardner started the over with a big wicket of Smriti Mandhana (2) off the second delivery. Gardner needed a review to win the LBW decision. India lost both the openers early in the big chase. Jemimah Rodrigues (10*) then opened her account with back-to-back fours off the first two deliveries she faced.

20:20 (IST), Feb, 23

OUT! Ash Gardner strikes to dismiss Smriti Mandhana (2) | 15/2 in 2.2 overs

20:17 (IST), Feb, 23

India 15/1 after 2 overs | Target -173

BIG WICKET! India lost opener Shafali Verma (9) leg before wicket to Megan Schutt. Verma took a review but lost it on 'umpire's call' as the ball was clipping the top of the leg stump.

20:15 (IST), Feb, 23

OUT! Megan Schutt strikes early, removes Shafali Verma (9) | India 11/1 in 1.3 overs

20:11 (IST), Feb, 23

India 10/0 after 1 over | Target - 173

10 RUNS! 2 1 0 1 2 4 - Shafali Verma (9*) smashed a four towards deep square leg off the last delivery to score 10 runs off Ash Gardner. Good start for India.

20:11 (IST), Feb, 23
20:08 (IST), Feb, 23

Welcome Back! Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana to start the India run chase. Ashleigh Gardner with the ball for Australia.

20:07 (IST), Feb, 23

At the start of the day, we would have taken that (total). We weren't really too sure what the conditions would look like given it is a new wicket, but we are pretty happy with that and probably have to bowl well. She is hitting it nicely and threatening to do that for a little while, nice to see her hit a few at the end when we needed them. It was nice to hit a few more out of the middle than I have previously, thought the Indian bowlers bowled extremely well upfront and to come out unscathed in the powerplay was a good effort. It was a bit inconsistent (the bounce) in the powerplay, if we bowl really hopefully we can restrict them early in the powerplay and get a few wickets. We got some world-class bowlers and hopefully they can get the job done for us.

 

- Beth Mooney (54 off 37)

19:58 (IST), Feb, 23

That's it! Australia 172/4 after 20 overs (Beth Mooney 54, Mag Lanning 49*)

18 RUNS! 6 4 0 L1 1 6 - Skipper Mag Lanning (49* off 34) finished off the Australia innings in style, smoking two big sixes off Renuka Thakur to score 18 runs in the final over. Lanning also hit a four in it. Renuka Thakur had a tough outing with the ball today, returning figures of 0 for 41 in 4 overs.

19:55 (IST), Feb, 23

BOOM! 6,4 - Mag Lanning (43* off 31) smokes Renuka Thakur for a six and a four off the first two deliveries of the final over | Australia 164/4 in 19.2 overs

19:53 (IST), Feb, 23

Australia 154/4 after 19 overs

12 RUNS! 4 2 W 1 4 1 - Back-to-back successful overs for India. Shikha Pandey completed her spell with her second wicket, removing Grace Harris in it. Australia batters managed to score 12 runs in the penultimate over too despite the wicket. Shikha's figures: 2 for 32 in 4 overs.

19:50 (IST), Feb, 23

OUT! Shikha Pandey cleans up Grace Harris for 7 | Australia 148/4 in 18.3 overs

19:48 (IST), Feb, 23

Australia 142/3 after 18 overs

BIG WICKET! Deepti Sharma completed her spell with an excellent over - a big wicket and just five runs at this stage. She got rid of the dangerous Ashleigh Gardner (31 off 18; 5x4s) to give a big breakthrough. Deepti's final figures: 4-0-30-1.

19:47 (IST), Feb, 23

OUT! Deepti Sharma cleans up Ashleigh Gardner for 31 (18 balls) | Australia 141/3 in 17.5 overs

19:44 (IST), Feb, 23

Australia 137/2 after 17 overs

11 RUNS! 4 4 1 0 1 1 - The flood-gate is truly opened now for Australia. Boundaries are flowing for them. Ashleigh Gardner (30* off 16) started the Renuka Thakur's over with two successive fours, so despite the pacer's recovery, conceding just three singles in the last four balls, it turned out to be a good one for the Aussies.

19:41 (IST), Feb, 23

Australia 126/2 after 16 overs

13 RUNS! 2 1 1 4 4 1 - Back-to-back big ones for Australia. This time, Ashleigh Gardner (20* off 12) smashed two successive fours off Radha Yadav in it. The India spinner returned figures of 1 for 35 in four overs. Australia are primed for a big total today.

19:40 (IST), Feb, 23

FOURS! 4,4 - Ashleigh Gardner (19*) smashes two back-to-back fours off radha Yadav | Australia 125/2 in 15.5 overs

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