India win T20 super over thriller, hand Aussie women first loss of 2022

Australia’s all-conquering women’s cricket team has suffered its first loss of 2022, going down to India in a T20 thriller.

India beat Australia in the second T20.

India defeated Australia in a super over thriller on Monday morning (AEDT) to level the five-match T20 series between the two powerhouses of women’s cricket 1-1.

Batting first, Australia posted a strong total of 187 from its 20 overs, with Beth Mooney (82 off 54 balls and Tahlia McGrath (70 off 51 balls) doing the damage.

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Australia blooded two debutants — teenager Phoebe Litchfield wasn’t required to bat, while Heather Graham was the pick of Australia’s bowlers with figures of 3/22 off her four overs.

But India managed to equal the total, largely thanks to the efforts of opener Smriti Mandhana, who topscored with 79 off 49 balls.

India’s Devika Vaidya struck a boundary on the last ball to tie the scores and send it to a rare super over.

Mandhana (13 not out off 3 balls) Richa Gosh (6 off 2) scored 20 runs off Graham’s over — the best super over score in the history of women’s T20 internationals.

India's Smriti Mandhana (L) and Harmanpreet Kaur celebrate the win over Australia. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP)

India's Yastika Bhatia celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia's Ashleigh Gardner during the super over. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP)

Healy, McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner could only manage 16 runs in reply, handing India a thrilling victory.

Mandhana was named player of the match for her efforts.

The win sparked jubilant celebrations in Mumbai, where a crowd of 47,000 turned out to watch India beat the all-conquering Australians.

What a game! What a team work. Australia losing their 16 winning streak against India.

It was a Super Sunday Super thriller.

Special mention for #SmritiMandhana. You played beautifully @mandhana_smriti. The crowd said it all!

Keeping the 🇮🇳 & Hopes high for the next! #INDvAUSpic.twitter.com/x0JLPhrIOo

— Sandeep Kumar (@sandeep_suga) December 11, 2022

INDW v AUSW what a game

— Carlos Brathwaite (@CRBrathwaite26) December 11, 2022

This is proper. 45k for Ind v Aus Women in Mumbai. Hope the Women’s IPL is as wild. #IndvAushttps://t.co/O8odCok7ky

— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) December 11, 2022

Crowds like this in India for the #INDvAUS T20 show just what the reaction to the women’s IPL could be. Really exciting. https://t.co/uFMrGV9jzQ

— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) December 11, 2022

This is the victory to remember @BCCIWomen#INDvAUS

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 11, 2022

Remarkably it was Australia’s first loss this year. The Aussies had been unbeaten in their last 29 matches across all three formats.

Their previous loss came against India back in September 2021.

It was Australia’s first match without Meg Lanning (taking leave) Rachael Haynes (retired) or Jess Jonassen (injured) in the team since 2010.

The invincible Aussies lost their first match of 2022. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

The Aussies have enjoyed a dominant 2022, defending their T20 World Cup title and winning gold at the Commonwealth Games.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Australia though.

Mooney and McGrath’s second-wicket stand of 158 runs was Australia’s highest ever T20I partnership while Mooney became the fastest woman to reach 2000 runs in T20Is (from 67 innings).

The five-match series continues with the third T20 scheduled for Wednesday at midnight (AEDT).