Birmingham, July 29 (Representative) Harmanrpeet Kaur’s historic fifty and an outstanding new-ball spell by Renuka Singh Thakur went in vain as India lost to World Champions Australia by 3 wickets in their first-ever women’s cricket match at the Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston here on Friday. With this win, Australia topped the Group A points table with 2 points and a positive Net Run Rate +0.560, while India slid to the bottom place in the 4-team group. Opener Shafali Verma (48) led the batting pack by giving a brilliant start, but India lost the plot in the middle overs by losing some quick wickets, putting India in a commanding position.
Harmanpreet Kaur (52) upped the ante and gave the scoring sheet a push with some lusty hitting at the end as India finished at 154/8. Renuka Thakur (4/18) bowled a magnificent spell to run through the Australian top order, but a counter-strike from the middle order helped Australia to register a 3 wickets victory with an over to spare. Chasing 155 runs target, Ash Gardner led the victory march along with Grace Harris (37 off 20) with her splendid fifty as Australia recovered from 49/5.
Alana King remained unbeaten on 18 from 16 balls as Australia got the first ever points in women’s cricket in Commonwealth Games. Next two games will be crucial for India as they might have to win both of them to make it into the knockout stages of the Games. India will play against Pakistan on Sunday and Barbados on Wednesday in the group-stage match. Brief scores: Australia (157/7 in 19 overs) beat India (154/8 in 20 overs) by 3 wickets in Women’s T20I group-stage match at Edgbaston. Gardner 52*, Renuka 4/18.