AUS-W vs IND-W: 3rd T20I Review – Australia pocket all-format series with clinical win

Australia Women defeated India Women by 14 runs in the 3^rd T20I to seal the three-match T20I series 2-0. Chasing a target of 150, the Indian side lost Shafali Verma in the 2^nd over of the match. Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues then put on a partnership of 57 runs for the second wicket.

But then, after the departure of Rodrigues, India lost wickets at regular intervals, and in the end, could only manage a total of 135/6 in their 20 overs. Smriti Mandhana scored a fighting 52, but her knock went in vain.

Batting first, the Australian side posted a competitive total of 149/5 on the board. Opener Beth Mooney scored an attractive 61 at the top of the order, while Tahlia McGrath once again stood up for her side with a brisk 31-ball 44*.

With the ball, Rajeshwari Gayakwad scalped 2 wickets in her 4 overs and leaked 37 runs. Apart from Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar, Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh picked up a wicket each.

Top Performers from the match

Beth Mooney

Beth Mooney played a crucial role in helping the Aussies defeat India by 14 runs in the third T20I, with her ravishing knock with the willow. Opening the batting, Mooney held the Australian innings together and scored 61 off just 43 deliveries. Her innings was filled with 10 glorious boundaries. She stayed till the 2^nd ball of the 18^th over to help her side post a competitive total of 149/5 on the board.

Tahlia McGrath

Tahlia McGrath has arrived!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/SJ7gwe9KjK

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 10, 2021

Tahlia McGrath took the attack to the Indian bowlers with the willow in hand. In her 31-ball stay, McGrath scored a blistering 44*, and her knock was laced with 6 fours and a six. McGrath’s knock played a key role in helping the kangaroos win the third and final rubber of the series.

What next for both teams

The Australia Women will next take on the England Women in a full-fledged series which consists of 1 Test, 3 T20Is and as many ODIs. This series will begin on 27^th January 2022, and will conclude on 19^th February 2022. India Women, on the other hand, do not have any series lined up in the near future.