AUS vs. IND: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma star in India’s record chase against Australia

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Brief Scores

The Indian women’s team maximized their chances to qualify for the finals of the ongoing Women’s T20I Tri-Series in Australia by beating the hosts in a record run chase.

After successive defeats against the Aussies and the English women’s team, the Indian brigade appeared deflated with the loss on Friday. However, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side displayed immense character on Saturday to remain in contention for a place in the finals of the tri-series.

It was the openers who powered the Indian team to chase down the challenging total of 173 set by Australia. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma put up 85 runs in 8.2 overs to ease the run chase upfront.

Shafali’s lightning 49 came off just 28 runs at a mammoth strike rate of 175, helped by eight boundaries and a maximum. Mandhana shepherded the run chase with her crucial knock of 55, scoring seven boundaries in the process.

India chase down Australia's 173/5 in the last over with seven wickets to spare!
This is the visitors' highest successful run chase in women's T20Is 🔥 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/KPZz78KcKj
— ICC (@ICC) February 8, 2020

Under-fire Jemimah Rodrigues ensured that the run rate did not dip, with her cameo of 30, at a strike of 157. The finishing role was done by captain Kaur and Deepti Sharma, who took the team across the finishing line in their highest run chase in T20Is.

Earlier, Ashleigh Gardner anchored the Australian innings with her valuable effort of 93, which came at a strike rate of 163. Gardner smashed eleven boundaries and three maximums in the process. The number three batter was well supported by captain Meg Lanning (37 off 22), who forged a valuable partnership for the third wicket.

Apart from hitting the winning runs with a boundary, Deepti Sharma also put on the brakes in the Aussie proceedings with her economical spell of 27 and two crucial dismissals.

This is a rapid start from India! Verma has eight boundaries in 15 balls! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/7JRNFf7laL
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 8, 2020

Upset alert! India have chased down 174 to defeat Australia with two balls remaining #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/o3f4Kufwgb
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 8, 2020

The winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur talks all about India's stunning run chase 🗣@erinvholland | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/52weffUrXo
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 8, 2020

In the end, it was an important 7-wicket victory for the Indians who remain alive in the tri-series. They now wait for the results of the last game of the league phase with keen interest.

Both England and Australia have a positive net run-rate while India holds a net run-rate of -0.071. This means India would hope that England beat Australia in the match on Sunday to qualify for the finals at Junction Oval, Melbourne, on February 12.