Gardner-Harris assault, Graham hat-trick help Australia clinch series 4-1
From 67-4, Australia put on 196 on board before bowling India out for 142
From 67-4, Australia put on 196 on board before bowling India out for 142
Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: Shashank Kishore
Thanks so much for joining us. From Abhimanyu, Thilak and myself, it's goodbye and goodnight. Enjoy whatever is left of your day. Look forward to seeing you on ESPNcricinfo as the cricket continues. S Sudarshanan will be up and running soon with his post-game copies.
It's time for the post-match honours
Tahlia McGrath, the stand-in Australia captain. "It's always a fierce battle against India, and this series didn't disappoint. The power game is impressive to watch, loved watching Ash and Grace today. We pride ourselves on fearless cricket, like to take the game on and stay ahead. The crowds have been the best thing about the series, India came hard at us."
Ash Gardner is the Player of the Match for her 66 off 32 and 2-20. Second one in a row for her. She's also the Player of the series.
"Just enjoying my cricket more than anything else, reaping the benefits on the field." she says. "I think it's easy batting with someone like Grace, who has the power game to back up the chat. I've just enjoyed my cricket over the last 12 months. I feel some games I'm more of a bowler, in others a batter. I try to not do too much [power hitting] at training, I tend to lose my shape (laughs)."
Harmanpreet Kaur: I think we were really good in the first 10-12 overs. We know the kind of power they have in their game, unfortunately we weren't able to stop them. Lot of learnings for us. We knew the type of cricket they play, happy to have improved though in a lot of areas. Lot of things we learnt from them, the way they were clearing the boundaries - that's something we'd like to bring in. Self-belief has been the biggest positive in this series. We have a month off now where we'd like to train hard before the World Cup.
10pm Disappointing end to the series for India; Australia take it 4-1. India were in it for the first 10 overs with the ball, but it got away from them in a jiffy. Gardner and Harris made blistering half-centuries in a fine exhibition of big hitting to haul Australia to a massive total. In their chase, India were suckerpunched right at the start and they never recovered. Barring that Super Over loss in the second T20I, Australia have won everything else in T20Is this year.
Heather Graham: Not sure how that [hat-trick] happened. Bowlers got us off to a really good start. The way Ash and Grace batted was phenomenal, and we were able to carry through that momentum. I think the way the wicket played while we were batting, there was a bit of turn, and I was just looking to use my slower balls well. Pretty fortunate I was able to reap the rewards of all the other bowlers tonight. I really didn't realise it was the hat-trick ball. I don't bowl too many off-pace bowls, thought let's just bowl pace and see what happens here. This series win is massive leading into the World Cup. The fact that we've had two captains here has been amazing. For us to come in and continue the dominating performance has been a massive plus for us. It gives us good momentum with the Pakistan series and going into the World Cup.
DB Sharma c Gardner b Graham 53 (49m 34b 8x4 1x6) SR: 155.88
Renuka Singh b Graham 2 (5m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66
The OG and her successor came together beautifully in the final T20I to put together yet another dominating batting show for Australia
Harmanpreet says Rodrigues will remain in the team's plans, but having Harleen in the mix provides India with flexibility in terms of options
From 67-4, Australia put on 196 on board before bowling India out for 142
Tahlia McGrath will captain the side in the final match of the series