The Australian women`s team bounced back in the series to beat India by 21 runs in their third T20I at the Brabourne Stadium on Wednesday. With this win, the visitors lead the five-match series 2-1.
In reply to the Aussies’ 172-8, the hosts began well, scoring 41-2 in the first six overs. Opener Shafali Verma (41-ball 52, 6×4, 3×6) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (27-ball 37, 6×4) tried their best, but it was not enough to chase the target.
In fact, Verma was lucky to be dropped on 13 at mid-wicket by Ashleigh Gardner off pacer Megan Schutt (1-23). Then, when on 48, pacer Darcie Brown had her off a no ball. Later, Verma reached her fifth T20I fifty with a perfect straight drive which went for four. For the Australians, Brown and off-spinner Gardner claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, despite losing two early wickets in the second over, Ellyse Perry’s 47-ball 75, Grace Harris’s 18-ball 41 and opener Beth Mooney’s 30 helped the Australians post a decent total. All-rounder Devika Vaidya, however, bowled well to claim 2-22 with her leg-spin, while off-spinner Deepti Sharma returned with 2-40.
India lost the first game at Nerul by nine wickets last Friday but clinched the second game at the same venue on Sunday through a Super Over finish. The fourth game will be held at the same venue on Saturday.
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