On this day in 2020 – India and Australia face off in the historic T20 World Cup final

The build-up to the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia was immense. The tournament kicked off on February 21 and the way it was planned, the final was set to be played on International Women’s day, making it a marquee event at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). In terms of quality, the tournament lived up to the expectations even as the hosts Australia and India made it to the title clash.

As many as 86,174 spectators thronged at the MCG to support their favourite team and be a part of history. Records tumbled on the day in terms of attendance for an event as both the teams took the field. Australia skipper Meg Lanning won the toss and opted to bat first and what transpired later literally stunned the Indian fans.

What a story. What a @T20WorldCup.

Relive an incredible International Women’s Day at the MCG.#IWD2021 pic.twitter.com/gO2NXIdwSM

— ICC (@ICC) March 8, 2021

Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney attacked the opposition bowlers from the word go. The former was even dropped early on in the innings and she made them pay. The opening duo of Australia smacked 115 runs only in 11.4 overs with Healy racing to 75 off just 39 balls with 7 fours and five sixes before getting out.

Mooney also played her part smoking an unbeaten 78 off 54 balls with 10 fours. Though India took a few wickets at the back end of the innings, the damage was already done. Australia went on to post a mammoth total of 184/4 in their 20 overs. Shikha Pandey was the most expensive bowler conceding 52 runs in her four overs.

Stunned by the assault, India Women were never in the chase as they got off to the worst possible start losing their star opener Shafali Verma in the first over. Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur also followed within powerplay to leave the team reeling at 30/4. The pressure of a big run-chase had got to them and the team never recovered.

Deepti Sharma was the only batter to cross the 30-run mark while Veda and Richa scored 19 and 18 runs respectively. India were bowled out for only 99 runs in the last over of the innings handing a massive 85-run win for Australia in the World Cup final. The Meg Lanning side won the tournament for the record fifth time.

More than the game, the traction a Women’s mega-event received was the talking point. Rather the Women’s T20 World Cup Final also turned out to be the last cricket match with the full house before the pandemic struck the world.