Twitter Reactions: Tahlia McGrath's vital knock keeps fighting India at bay to seal multi-format series

Australia yet again proved why they are considered the best team in the women’s game as they beat India by four wickets in a thriller of a T20I. All-rounder Tahlia McGrath starred for the team with the bat in hand as she scored a vital unbeaten 42 to take the hosts home with five balls remaining. The match was sealed in 19^th over itself with Australia leveling scores.

It was just a formality for McGrath, who scored a single and thereby enabled a series win in the multi-format series against India. With the first T20I being washed away, the game lived up to the expectations and proved to be a nail-biter of a game.  The visitors had the match under control until the 16th over. But Shikha Pandey bowled an expensive 17th over, wherein she gave away 11 runs.

That swung the match in Australia’s favor and from there on they marched along nicely to complete the game. Off-spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad kept the team ahead by picking up vital three wickets but in the end, her efforts ended up in vain. Nonetheless, India fought hard and tried defending 119. But a few more runs from the batters could have helped them to pose an even bigger total.

India batters limp to 119 for nine in 20 overs

Earlier in the day, India batters failed to get going and didn’t have any sort of momentum going for them. Pacer Tayla Vlaeminck was spot on with her line and lengths as she prized both the openers early. The visitors also lost Jemimah Rodrigues for just seven runs and were placed 24 for three inside the powerplay. For a brief while, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur looked good for her 28 and was looking set to launch before she was stumped by leg-spinner, Georgia Wareham.

In the end, all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar’s blitz of unbeaten 37 runs off 26 balls took India to a par total of 119. The right-hand batter’s strike rate was impressive and she looked the only batter to score with intent in an otherwise dismal-looking India’s scoreboard. But Australia managed to get over the line in the final over.

By virtue of this victory, the hosts sealed the multi-format series with nine points onboard. The third and final T20I will be played on Sunday (October 10).

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