AUS W VS IND W T20

Right then, that is all from this game where Australia Women were expected to bounce back and they sure did. On the other hand, India Women will take the learnings from this game and turn up for the series decider. The third and final T20I will be played on 9th January, Tuesday at 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT), but as always, you can join us early for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Kim Garth is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her brilliant bowling performance. She took 2 for 27 from her four overs which included the wickets of Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues. She says that she is absolutely delighted and feels the other bowlers bowled well too. Adds that the conditions were bowling-friendly. Also says that they just kept it nice and attacked. Reckons India have flat wickets but it helps to develop their game.

The skipper of Australia Women, Alyssa Healy is in for a chat. She says they didn't execute as well as they would have liked but are happy to win. Tells they were happy to keep India under 140 which was around the average score. Appreciates the performance from Kim Garth and reckons she loves to play in this kind of conditions. Tells they want to be more clinical in the next match.

India Women's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur is in for a chat. She says that the score they had was not enough. Mentions that the bowlers did well to take the game to the penultimate over and it was the biggest positive. States that they have set high standards in the field but it was not up to the mark in this game. Adds that fielding is an area they want to improve. Feels that 150 would have been a good total. Also says taking wickets in the middle phase was a positive. Reckons that things could have been different had Shreyanka Patil executed the penultimate over well. Ends by saying that they are a young side and such close games are a learning for them.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Ellyse Perry is in for a chat. She says that it was lovely to win and she really enjoyed coming back as they lost the first match. She adds that it was a great learning opportunity for them to bowl first but feels that they did do enough in the first game. She thinks that the wickets are important in the powerplay. On her 300th appearance for Australia, she replies that she is enjoying playing cricket. She ends by saying that she is enjoying every opportunity she's getting.

Earlier in the game, after Alyssa Healy called it right and put India Women into bat, they were rocked early as they lost Shafali Verma in the second over. Jemimah Rodrigues looked good during her stay, as did Smriti Mandhana, but neither of them was able to kick on. Harmanpreet Kaur's lean run continued, and India found themselves struggling at 54-4. Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma then got together to steady the sinking ship. Ghosh provided impetus to the Indian innings during her short stay, but she was unable to stay there till the end. However, Deepti managed to bat through for her side, and thanks to her contribution, India Women got to 130. For Australia Women, Kim Garth, Georgia Wareham, and Annabel Sutherland took two wickets each, but it was the leggie who was the most economical of the lot.

With not a big total to defend, early wickets were the need of the hour for India Women. However, it did not go according to plan for them as they failed to pick up any wickets in the Powerplay. Thanks to Deepti Sharma's twin strikes, India clawed their way back into the game. But they then allowed a partnership to build between Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath where they leaked boundaries and allowed Australia to release the pressure. They did manage to nip McGrath and Gardner in the bud soon after but India Women just did not mange to string in dots to build the pressure and eventually ended up on the losing side.

In pursuit of 131, Australia Women were off to a solid start courtesy of the two openers. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney played proper cricketing shots to put pressure on the Indian bowlers and helped their side stay ahead of the game. However, both perished in the space of two overs which put Australia in a bit of a bother. Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry then counter-attacked and by doing so, they ensured that Australia Women did not crumble under pressure. Coming in at number 6, Phoebe Litchfield walked in and found the middle of the bat right from ball one. She joined hands with Perry and made sure that there were no more hiccups in the chase.

Australia Women get home with an over to spare and it is 1-1 in this three-match series! How special that it is Ellyse Perry with the winning runs in her 300th international game for Australia! The visitors had the chase under control for most parts but it was all set up in the first half of the game by their bowling unit. On the other hand, India Women gave a good account of themselves and should be proud of themselves for taking the game to the penultimate over.

SIX! Ellyse Perry in her 300th international match hits the winning runs. Too full and outside off, Perry slogs it hard over mid-wicket for a biggie. Australia Women win by 6 wickets.

Fuller and outside off. Litchfield drives it to deep cover for a single.

Goes fuller and outside off. Litchfield jams it out back to the bowler.

FOUR! Litchfield has played with the field in the last three balls. A full toss on the stumps. Litchfield reverse hits it over point for a boundary. Really smart from Litchfield.

And again! Too full and on middle. Litchfield scoops it behind the keeper yet again but the fielder comes across this time and cuts it off. Two.

FOUR! Poor from the youngster. A juicy full toss on middle and off. Litchfield gets inside the line and scoops it over the keeper for a boundary.

It will be Shreyanka Patil (3-0-23-1) to bowl the penultimate over. Australia Women need 15 runs from 12 balls!

Excellent stop! Pitched up, outside off. Perry drives it through covers. Smriti Mandhana in the deep, runs to her left and dives to save a couple. 15 runs needed in 12 balls.