Mandhana-Verma show helps India topple Australia to stay alive

India cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Australia in the T20 tri-series at Junction Oval in Melbourne on Saturday (February 8). The victory was set by India's openers Smriti Mandhana (55) and Shafali Verma (49). The duo put on an 85-run stand for the first wicket which laid the foundation for the run-chase. Earlier Ashleigh Gardner's 93 off just 57 balls propelled Australia to 173, but alas, her efforts went in vain! India, by virtue of their victory, stayed alive in the tri-series.

India opted to bowl first and made one change in the team. They brought in Harleen Deol in place of Veda Krishnamurthy. Australia made three changes as Meg Lanning, Sophie Molineux and Delissa Kimmince were back in place for Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland and Tayla Vlaeminck respectively.

Deepti Sharma (2-27)  struck on the second ball of the match as she sent back out-of-form Alyssa Healy back in the hut for a duck. Ashleigh Gardner walked in at number three and started to attack right from the word go. She took on Shikha Pandey, collecting 18 runs off her two overs and took some pressure off Beth Mooney. Australia finished the power play at 49 for the loss of one wicket - Gardner scored 34 of those runs.

She offered a tough chance on 39, but Harmanpreet Kaur at mid-off failed to latch on to it. India finally broke the 62-runs stand between Mooney and Gardner when they saw the back of Mooney for 16. Soon though, Gardner reached her second T20I fifty off just 33 balls.

Gardner continued to score boundaries at will and was looking set to reach her maiden ton. She got a second reprieve, when on 86, Taniya Bhatia - who didn't have the best of days behind the stumps - missed an easy stumping chance. In company of Meg Lanning (37), Gardner added 79 for the fourth wicket and it seemed as if the wheels were truly coming off for the tourists.

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India finally managed to remove Gardner for 93, in the 17th over. Looking to go big over mid-off, she mistimed one, only for Sharma to backtrack and take it comfortably. India pulled things off well in the last three overs by giving only 20 runs and restricted Australia to 173 for the loss of five wickets.

India's openers Verma and Mandhana started the reply well. Verma got off the blocks quickly and looked to attack right away. She targeted Molineux and collected 13 runs off the fourth over of the innings. India raced to 50 off just 26 balls. Verma brought her first six by smashing Megan Schutt straight for a six. India finished the power play strongly at 70 without loss - the best in the series.

Australia broke the 85-run stand when they saw the back of Verma for 49. Looking to pull the short ball, Verma failed to clear deep mid-wicket fielder where Nicola Carey took an easy catch. Jemimah Rodrigues then came in at number three and got driving and playing her deft touches quickly. The visitors brought up the hundred in just the 11th over. Now the Women in Blue needed 65 off the last nine overs.

Just when Rodrigues got her eye in, Schutt struck and sent the right-hander back  for a 19-ball 30 runs. Going steadily at the other end, Mandhana brought her fifty off 44 balls. She looked set to take India home before she was dismissed for 55.

In the end, Sharma struck two boundaries and helped India cross the line in company of Kaur (20 not out) with two balls to spare.

Brief scores: Australia 173/5 in 20 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 93, Meg Lanning 37; Deepti Sharma 2-27, Harleen Deol 1-27) lost to India 177/3 in 19.4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 55, Shafali Verma 49; Megan Schutt 1-26) by seven wickets. PoTM: Ashleigh Gardner.