India dazzle in super over to inflict Australians first loss of 2022 | women’s cricket

The all-conquering Australia women’s team eventually lost an international, but it took a dazzling super from India’s big hitters to force them to a first loss of 2022.

Their second T20 international in Mumbai on Sunday went extra after a thrilling tie in which India’s Devika Vaidya hit a four on the last ball of regulation 20 overs to level the scores.

Capitalizing on their big breakout, Indian powerhouses Richa Ghosh and player of the match Smriti Mandhana then both beat debutant Heather Graham in a super over that slammed 20 runs.

In response, the Aussie batters, led by captain Alyssa Healy’s 15-ball run, missed four runs after mustering 16 in total.

After 21 wins in a triumphant year, it was a harrowing first defeat for the new Australian captain, whose world champions looked set to win again after another masterful century between their ‘M&M’ hitters – Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath.

At bat, the visitors amassed a formidable 187 for one with Mooney (82no) and McGrath (70no), who had guided them to a nine-wicket victory in the opener with an unbroken 100 position, this time putting a 158 unbeaten for the second wicket, an Australian record for any wicket in a T20 international.

It seemed too high a mountain for the Indian hitters but, taking advantage of the lightning-fast outfield and short boundaries, flyhalf Mandhana crushed 79 of 49 balls before Ghosh muscled in three late sixes to keep them in the hunt.

Needing 14 to win the final game, Vaidya then became the home side’s hero, knocking out second ball for four and clipping Megan Schutt’s last ball over the backspot to win the boundary which tied the game. scores at 187 for five. and sent the packed DY Patil Stadium crowd into ecstatic celebration mode.

They became even more animated when Graham was beaten for six by Ghosh on the first pitch of the super over. Even though she left the next ball, Mandhana took over to hit four, six and three balls on the last three balls.

It was tough for newcomer Graham, who had previously been Australia’s best performer with the ball, taking three for 22 from his four overs as India went bust – but a goal of 21 was too much for the Aussies once that Healy’s partner, Ashleigh Gardner, was caught. in the depths of Reuka Singh’s first pitch and McGrath could only muster one.

Healy hit the last ball for six but it was too little, too late in what she accepted had been a fantastic sight. “I mean, what a game of cricket it was and what a showcase of fearless cricket here in India and for thousands of people to be able to witness it, it’s quite special,” Healy said.

“I think we did well to be in this game. India were all over us throughout this pursuit. The fact that we hung on, that we got the upper hand, we can be quite proud of that. .