Poonam Yadav bewitches Australia to give India opening win
The hosts struggled on a slow, dry surface that proved to be suited to Yadav's art
The hosts struggled on a slow, dry surface that proved to be suited to Yadav's art
Scorer: M Venkat Raghav | Commentator: Deivarayan Muthu
10.25pm Riding on Poonam Yadav's sublime control and wrong'uns, India have toppled defending champions Australia to open the T20 World Cup in front of 13,432 spectators, comfortably a record for a standalone women's match in Australia. Hope you enjoyed our coverage as much as we did bringing is to you. This is Deivarayan Muthu signing off on the behalf of Alex Malcolm and Venkat Raghav.
Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain: This is a great feeling to win the first game of the tournament. We knew this track is something where we can do well. If we can get to 140, we thought the bowlers can do the job. This track wasn't easy to bat on - the partnership between Jemi and Deepti was crucial for us. I'm happy we got 130 and that was something with which our bowlers can do well. A bowler like Poonam is someone who leads from the front. We were expecting a great comeback from her. Our team is looking nice, earlier we depended on two-three players.
Meg Lanning, Australia captain: They started off well and put us under the pump. At the halfway mark, 133 to chase, we thought we did well. It was consistent bounce, there was a little bit, we thought of playing straightâŠ.I think the lack of partnerships in the middle (what went wrong?) India bowled extremely well and thoroughly deserved the win.
10.15pm Poonam Yadav, Player of the Match: Thanks to her physio and team-mates and family and friends for helping her recover from injury. This is the third time I'm missing a hat-trick, but thanks to my physio and team-mates I've recovered. Hopefully, I get a hat-trick in the future.
Simon: "Some atrocious shot selection by Aus to waste a great bowling performance. They need to get their heads right fast or it will be a short tournament. "
Suyog: "Well played girls. Poonam, you are the star. Hattricks do need a share of luck, you will get one in future, no worries. Congrats to you."
Ramasamy: "Also, tremendous control by Indian bowlers. No wides, just 2 extras in the 20 overs. "
M Strano run out 2 (3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66
Alan : "good to see Aussies preparing low and slow wickets...seriously why make India feel at home"
rahul: "in the context of the game, Verma and Sharma's innings along with Yadav bowling is where India will win the contest"
Schutt is the No.11
A Gardner c & b Pandey 34 (36b 3x4 1x6) SR: 94.44
Vivek Rajendran: "Isn't she no:10 by the way.?!" --- Oh well, of course
Australia need 21 off the last over to pull off a coup
The hosts struggled on a slow, dry surface that proved to be suited to Yadav's art
India's legspinner bagged 4 for 19 in four overs to stun the defending champions Australia in the Women's T20 World Cup opener
Australia were halfway towards their target to launch a home World Cup campaign with a win before Yadav turned it around
Meg Lanning and Harmanpreet Kaur talk about the tournament build-up and the conditions for the opening match
The fragility beyond Mandhana, Verma, Rodrigues and Harmanpreet is a worry