Australia vs India, second T20I: A tale of two halves for the visiting side, who started brightly but crumbled under pressure, losing by 19 runs while chasing 164 in Canberra. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur shouldered the blame for batting shortcomings, particularly the post-partnership collapse that saw India bowled out for 144/9.
The turning point arrived at 126/4 after Harmanpreet’s exit, followed by a rapid slide to 133/8. Australia’s bowlers, with their sharp variations and tight lines, choked the run flow effectively in the death.
In her analysis, Harmanpreet said, ‘We aimed to up the ante but wobbled instead. More responsibility was needed, and Smriti’s wicket was pivotal – my partnership with her was crucial.’ The middle-order 55-run stand with Richa Ghosh had kept hopes alive after a powerplay platform laid by openers.
Yet, optimism persists. ‘Bowling them out after their strong opening was key, and our chase had solid partnerships. It’s about depth and one player owning the finish,’ Harmanpreet emphasized. Series level at 1-1, India gears up with better pitch knowledge for the crucial third match.