INDW vs AUSW, 1st T20I: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana share record stand as India cruise to 9-wicket win
The Indian Women’s cricket team delivered a stunning all-round performance to beat Australia in the first T20 International at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Friday.
The dynamic opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana combined forces to set a new record for India with their 137-run opening stand, propelling the team to a resounding 9-wicket victory.
This is India’s second win over Australia in the last 13 WT20Is as their last victory came in a Super Over last year. Titas Sadhu’s career-best figures of four for 17 helped India restrict Australia to a mere 141. Despite a fighting effort from Ellyse Perry, who scored 37 runs, the Australian side fell short, with the Indian bowlers wrapping up their innings efficiently.
In response, the Indian openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, took to the field with determination and flair. Their partnership was a masterclass in batting, as they effortlessly chased down the target without losing a single wicket. Mandhana’s aggressive stroke play and Verma’s calculated aggression overwhelmed the Australian bowlers, leaving them searching for answers.
Shafali stroked her way to her fifth half-century in T20Is after missing the previous two ODIs against Australia, smashing six fours and three sixes with commanding strokes all over the park. Mandhana was in her element as well, hitting her 27th fifty of the season and seventh against Australia, a knock that included seven fours and a six. The openers only separated when they were one hit away from crossing the line, but not before recording India’s second-best first-wicket stand. India won by a margin of wickets in 17.4 overs, their largest win over Australia.
It was also only the third time in T20I history that Australia had been defeated by this margin.India fielded their best this home season, not only showing remarkable improvement but also remaining clinical throughout to deny Australia even a sniff.