The Indian women’s cricket team has stunned the Australians in the opener game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, that is taking place in Sydney. After losing the toss, team India bowlers dominated the game and stuck to their task by defending 132 runs on the board.
Indian cricketer Poonam Yadav gave the opposition a run for their money with her magical spell. Poonam was backed by Shikha Pandey who supported her throughout as the duo were able to take seven wickets together to help team India win the match for just 115 runs and get two crucial points.
Earlier, as the match started the Australian cricketers started their innings well with Alyssa Healy finally getting her lost form back. She was quick to get to her half-century off just 34 deliveries to make her team sit at a comfortable position of 67/2 in the 10th over.
Incredible scenes!#AUSvIND | #T20WorldCup https://t.co/QK2ovtGHQB
— ICC (@ICC) February 21, 2020
However, the game changed from the next ball after Alyssa smashed Poonam Yadav off a six to reach her fifty. This is when Poonam Yadav decided to end her stint by sending her back to the pavilion the very next ball. As soon as Alyssa made her way back to the pavilion, Poonam Yadav made everyone mesmerized with her exceptional performance from thereon.
Shikha Pandey also joined in the fun and helped Poonam in picking up the wickets. While Poonam returned with the astonishing figures of 4/19, Shikha picked three wickets conceding only 14 runs.
Earlier in the match, while batting the Indian cricket team kick-started the game with a bang by racing off to 40 runs in just 4 overs, all thanks to the brilliant performance of Shafali Verma.
However, soon team India lost wickets in quick successions with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur making their way back to the pavilion. But Jemimah and Deepti Sharma joined hands to bring the much-needed momentum back the game.
Praises are pouring in for the Indian cricket team from all corners. Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
Congratulations, #TeamIndia! Take a bow, @poonam_yadav24. @ImHarmanpreet, very impressive win against the @AusWomenCricket #AUSWvINDW #ICCT20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/2pxwEWktBT
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) February 21, 2020
The biggest problem facing @poonam_yadav24 tonight was standing in front of @irbishi at the “Player of the Match” award! #T20WorldCup
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) February 21, 2020
Match 1 done & dusted
. India get off to a flying start and continue their success against Australia in @ICC events. What a great start to the tournament!!!
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) February 21, 2020
. India get off to a flying start and continue their success against Australia in What. A. Win.
The Big Dance is underway with a bang!#AUSvIND | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/EAyJhLEL2Q
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 21, 2020
This is some start from #TeamIndia beating the defending champions. Poonam Yadav ? The innings from Shafali Verma set up things nicely for us.#WT20WC #AUSWvsINDW #AUSvIND
— Sriram (@SriramARR) February 21, 2020
Proper got out of jail thanks to some masterclass from Poonam Yadav.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 21, 2020
Take your pick @TheShafaliVerma blitz, pocket dynamo @poonam_yadav24 4-19, #taniyabhatia behind the stumps, @ImHarmanpreet use of @shikhashauny in the 17th…#gamechangingmoments @BCCIWomen have made a statement ?? #ICCT20WorldCup #INDvAUS
— Mayanti Langer Binny (@MayantiLanger_B) February 21, 2020
Brilliant bowling and captaincy @BCCIWomen ?
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) February 21, 2020
Out! And WIN it is for @BCCIWomen . #T20WorldCup . #INDvsAUS . Bowlers do it for India.
— neeru bhatia (@neerubhatia3) February 21, 2020
Mad game this already. #AUSvIND
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) February 21, 2020
What a win for India..Jai Ho…super cricket by India women’s @ImHarmanpreet @poonam_yadav24 @JemiRodrigues @mandhana_smriti great performance from all of you @wvraman @BCCI @CricketAus #AUSvIND #T20WorldCup
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) February 21, 2020
Terrific win for #IndiaWomen. What a start to their campaign! As much as Poonam Yadav deserves credit, I hope Taniya Bhatia is lauded for some amazing work behind the stumps. Don’t be too harsh on that dropped chance. #AUSWvINDW #WT20WC
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) February 21, 2020
Staggering performance by India’s women. Australia were favourites for the tournament and this is a huge result. Top effort from the bowlers. How good was Deepti Sharma! But it was the little leggie Poonam Yadav who turned it around. #iccwomenst20worldcup
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 21, 2020
India defeat Australia.. India humiliate Australia! Party on me. This is victory of those who think white race is superior. We have won! This is revolutionary win. I’m happy we are moving up and up.. As a politician, this is my duty to give it a twist and turn.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 21, 2020
Spin To Win. Even in Australia. Winning the game by 17 runs while defending a modest total….that too against the Hosts and Defending Champions—Australia. Take a bow, #TeamIndia #T20WorldCup #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 21, 2020
Brilliant from India. Just what this comp needed for the first game. Still backing Australia to win it though…
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) February 21, 2020
India’s spinners have made a big statement here and particularly happy to see Shikha Pandey play a key role. Well played too Jemimah Rodrigues. And Shafali Varma played some sumptuous shots. Love the spirit
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 21, 2020
Australia must run the table from here to make the final. Now we have ourselves a tournament. But forget about them for the moment… what a victory for India. Tough as. #T20WorldCup
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) February 21, 2020
Alex Blackwell says her approach to Yadav and her loopy wrong ‘uns is to play her from the crease. Aus batters take note. Well played India. Huge result to start the #WT20WC
— Chloe Saltau (@chloejane32) February 21, 2020
India opening the World Cup like #globetrottersdown pic.twitter.com/ptuOdv4Qa3
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) February 21, 2020
पूनम को मेरा शत-शत नमन ? #IndvAus #T20WorldCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 21, 2020
