Cricket News: India(W) vs Australia(W) CWG finals, India settles for silver as Australia defeats them by nine runs
Australian women continue their title-winning juggernaut, giving heartbreak to millions of Indians as now they add Commonwealth Games gold medal to their cabinets. A battle worth calling final sealed by a 9-run win by the Australian team as India settles for silver
CWG Final: Australia defeats India by 9 Runs"Australia again. So near and yet so far. But well played. Silver is still good. #INDvsAUS" wrote Harsha Bhogle on Twitter.
Opting to bat first, Australia posted a challenging total of 161 on the scoreboard. The team didn't get off to a good start, losing Alyssa Healy early in the third over. However, a 74-run stand between skipper Meg Lanning and Beth Mooney gave momentum to the team.
While Radha Yadav smartly dismissed Meg Lanning at 36 in run-out on the non-striker’s end, Beth Mooney capitalised to fetch 61 runs. 25 and 18 run cameos from Ashleigh Gardner and Rachael Haynes expanded the total to a challenging one.
Renuka Singh and Sneh Rana held their nerves tight to keep Australians under pressure as they scalped two wickets each, whereas skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was beaten for 17 runs in an over. India was sensational with their fielding and defended many crucial runs but couldn't stop them from reaching 160-plus.
Attempting to chase a challenging total, India lost both the openers for 22 runs in 3 overs. Jemimah Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur held the chase game with their 96-run partnership.
Megan Schutt brought the much-needed breakthrough Australia needed in the form of Jemimah Rodrigues' (33) wicket. And post that Indian middle order succumbed to Ashleigh Gardner and Megan Schutt's attack. From a comfortable 118/2 to losing the final eight wickets for 34 runs and no comeback. Indian batters did try to pull a couple of boundaries, but it was not sufficient to reach the Gold.
Aakash Chopra tweeted, "Close game. Competed well. Silver it is. You will always make us proud…irrespective of the colour of the medal. Well played, Harmanpreet Kaur and co."
India did everything they could, trying to steal momentum with the ball, excellent fielding, batting their hearts out, and keeping hopes alive until the final. But Australia being Australia, you give an inch, and they grab a mile. As Australia got to the podium for Gold, India and New Zealand ended with Silver and Bronze, respectively.