The Indian women’s cricket team put up a valiant effort in the second T20I against Australia, but their all-round performance fell short as Australia secured a six-wicket victory, leveling the three-match series. Despite Deepti Sharma’s commendable contribution with both bat and ball, India couldn’t defend their total of 130/8 at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.
India’s top-order batters struggled to capitalize on their starts, leaving Deepti Sharma to play a crucial role in pushing the team’s total beyond the 100-run mark. Her vital 31 runs and a fine spell of 4-0-22-2 in the bowling department delighted the nearly-packed house, but the team lacked sufficient runs on the board to challenge Australia.
As the match approached its climax, with 15 runs needed off 12 balls, young Australian sensation Phoebe Litchfield played a decisive role, scoring an unbeaten 18 off 12 balls, including two crucial fours in the penultimate over from Shreyanka Patil. The legendary Ellyse Perry, celebrating her 300th international game across formats, anchored the chase with an unbeaten 34 off 21 balls, ultimately sealing the victory for Australia with a six.
About Deepti Sharma:
However, post-match comments from India captain Harmanpreet Kaur stirred a debate, especially a response from former India men’s cricket team star Dodda Ganesh. Ganesh expressed his discontent on social media, stating, “Throwing a 19yo kid under the bus is not done #INDvAUS.” His comment was in response to Harmanpreet’s statement regarding the 19th over, where she mentioned that if Shreyanka had been on target, it could have made a significant difference for India.
Harmanpreet’s comments have ignited discussions about team dynamics and the responsibility of experienced players in supporting their younger counterparts. While cricket is a team sport, individual performances and accountability often come under scrutiny, especially in closely contested matches.
It remains to be seen how the Indian women’s cricket team regroups for the deciding match in the series. The need for collective efforts and constructive post-match discussions will be crucial as they aim to bounce back and secure a series victory against a formidable Australian side. As the cricketing world continues to witness the growth of women’s cricket, these encounters contribute to the evolving narrative of the sport, showcasing the resilience and determination of players on the international stage.