India vs Australia 2nd T20I registers record crowd for women’s cricket in Mumbai

India Women, on Sunday, defeated Australia Women in the second T20I after the match had gone into super over at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. With the win, India levelled the five-match series 1-1. There were more than 47,000 spectators packed in the stadium, the highest turnout for a women’s cricket match in India.

The crowds are likely to keep growing as the spectators were treated to a thrilling India victory via the super over in a high-scoring game which was full of twists and turns and saw close to 400 runs being scored on a belter of a pitch. After scampering to a win amid the crowd’s deafening roar, the team took a lap of honor with the Tricolour.

The last time when the Indian women played at home was in March 2021 against South Africa which was a five ODIs and three T20Is series but it was played behind closed doors because of covid.

India won the thriller against Australia

Initially, Australia posted 187 for one in 20 overs, with Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath grabbing unbeaten half-centuries. Mooney slammed 82 runs off 54 balls and McGrath smacked 70 runs off 51 balls. Deepti Sharma was in good form and took a wicket for India.

In response, India reached 187 for five, with Richa Ghosh hitting a four in the final delivery to tie the match. Richa smacked an unbeaten knock of 26 runs off 13 balls. Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana anchored India's innings with a fiery knock of 79 runs off 49 balls.  Heather Graham took three wickets for Australia.

India Women pipped the mighty Aussies in their first-ever Super Over appearance! Richa Ghosh started off in style by hitting a first-ball six but was dismissed next ball by Heather Graham. Smriti Mandhana then blasted 13 runs off three balls, including a six and a four, to ensure India ended with 20 runs in the Super Over.

With Australia needing 21 runs, captain Healy gave India a scare by striking Renuka Singh’s first ball for a four. Gardner was dismissed off her first ball, leaving Australia 16 to win off three balls. Healy smashed a four and a six off the last two balls of the Super Over but it wasn’t enough as Australia managed only 16.