Harmanpreet Kaur smashed an unbeaten 42 following an excellent bowling performance to set up India’s thrilling five-wicket win over England in the first match of the Women’s T20I series in Canberra on Friday.
After opting to bowl, India spinners – Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/19), Deepti Sharma (2/30) and Radha Yadav (1/33) – restricted England to 147/7, while right-arm medium pacer Shikha Pandey (2/33) was among the wickets as well.
Heather Knight, who was particularly sweeping the Indian spinners very well, rescued England from 59-4 at the halfway stage but did get a life three times.
She and Beaumont, in her new position in the middle order, added 69 runs off 45 balls to take England to within sight of 150-plus, but a flurry of late wickets saw them end on 147-7 in 20 overs.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s towering six
With six needed off the final over, Kaur, whose innings was laced with five fours until then, hit a huge six to take India to 150 for five and end the match in style with three balls to spare.
India’s next game is against Australia on Sunday (8:40 IST).
Here’s the video:
Harmanpreet Kaur with the inside out cover drive to get India home with three balls remaining! #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/lbhXY6FBtm
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 31, 2020
