Australia Women spoil Harmanpreet's landmark T20I after India's shock batting collapse
India Today
INDW vs AUSW, 2nd T20I: Sophie Molineux's Australia made a stupendous comeback to draw level in the three-match series after beating Harmanpreet Kaur's India by 19 runs on Thursday at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Australia Women spoiled Harmanpreet Kaur’s landmark night with a commanding 19-run victory in the second T20I at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, levelling the three-match series 1-1. India endured a dramatic batting collapse, losing six wickets for just seven runs, which ultimately sealed their downfall.
The February 19 clash marked a historic occasion for Harmanpreet, who became the most-capped player in women’s international cricket, featuring in her 356th match to surpass New Zealand legend Suzie Bates. However, the milestone ended in disappointment as Australia delivered a clinical all-round performance.
After losing the opening T20I, Australia responded in emphatic fashion. Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney provided the perfect start with a dominant 128-run opening partnership. Voll led the charge, reaching her half-century off just 31 balls before finishing with 88 off 57 deliveries, including 11 fours and a six. She was deservedly named Player of the Match.
India vs Australia, 2nd Women's T20I Highlights
Mooney played the ideal supporting role with 46 off 39 balls and achieved a personal milestone in the process, overtaking Meg Lanning to become Australia’s highest run-scorer in Women’s T20Is. Despite Arundhati Reddy once again spearheading India’s bowling effort with two wickets, Australia posted a competitive 163 for five in their 20 overs.
India began the chase on a positive note, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 31 and Shafali Verma making 29 as the pair added 57 runs for the opening wicket. Even after a couple of quick setbacks, Harmanpreet scored 36 off 30 balls and, along with Richa Ghosh, rebuilt the innings with a crucial 55-run stand for the fourth wicket, taking India to 126 for three in the 17th over and keeping the target within reach.
T20 World Cup 2026: Shivam Dube credits MS Dhoni's advice for helping him overcome his short-ball struggles. The all-rounder's 66 against the Netherlands proves how far he's come since those early IPL days.
Shadab Khan says Pakistan must move on from their loss to India and stay focused on winning the T20 World Cup, stressing that criticism and selection debates will not derail their campaign.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan paid glowing tribute to outgoing head coach Jonathan Trott, saying the former England batter played a key role in steering the team in the right direction and lifting the standards of Afghan cricket.
ICC Men's T20 World Cup: South Africa pacer Corbin Bosch said his side's experience of playing three group league matches in Ahmedabad has given the team valuable clarity ahead of their Super Eights fixture against India.
T20 World Cup 2026: Ricky Ponting was heavily critical of the Australian side led by Mitchell Marsh following their shock group-stage exit after losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa breezed past the UAE to maintain their 100 percent record in the T20 World Cup 2026 and get ready for the India clash in Ahmedabad. The Proteas won the match by six wickets.
T20 World Cup: Australia's early exit from the ongoing ICC tournament could cost them a place at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Jammu and Kashmir entered their maiden Ranji Trophy final after defeating Bengal by six wickets in the semifinal on February 18, 2026, drawing congratulations from chief minister Omar Abdullah, BCCI president Mithun Manhas and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan.
The Real Madrid-Benfica clash in the UEFA Champions League ended in controversy as Vinicius Jr. alleged that Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him after he got the decisive goal in Lisbon.
T20 World Cup: Mohsin Naqvi said that the actual hero behind Pakistan's India match boycott U-turn was Sri Lanka president Anura Kumara Dissanayake and thanked him for his timely intervention.
T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe missed out on qualifying for the tournament in 2024, but this time around, Sikandar Raza's men have secured their berth in the Super 8. It was Raza, with his inspirational leadership and attitude, aims to keep his side grounded and continue their journey towards bigger goals at the T20 World Cup 2026.
T20 World Cup, India vs Netherlands: Already through to the Super Eights, India will look to extend their unbeaten run and cap off their group-stage campaign on a high when they take on the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.