Birmingham: India lost in the first match of the Commonwealth Games women’s Twenty20 cricket. World champions Australia beat India by three wickets in Pool A.
All-rounder Ashley Gardner’s one-man performance was a setback for India, who had rushed to an easy victory at one stage. India beat Australia by 7 wickets in 19 overs. Auss lost five wickets while scoring 49 runs. Renuka Singh got India off to a good start by returning the first four batters. But it was Ashley and Grace Harris’ half-century partnership for the sixth wicket that faltered India’s victory.
Australia won with six balls to spare. Ashley scored an unbeaten 52 off 35 balls and became the architect of the team’s victory. Alana King helped Gardner by scoring 18 runs not out. Renuka conceded 18 runs in four overs and took four wickets. Heroine Harmanpreet Kaur scored a half-century for India who won the toss and batted first.
The player scored 52 runs from 34 balls. Openers Shafali Verma scored 48 runs and Smriti Mandana (24 runs). But India suffered a setback due to the collapse of the middle order and tail end. India will face Pakistan in the next match.