Australia Women vs India Women 1st T20I, Highlights: Match abandoned due to inclement weather

India will be be disappointed, given how they were scoring at close to nine an over with four overs left

Boo. Was shaping up beautifully. India got to 131/4 in 15.2 overs with fast but small contributions from Mandhana, Shafali and Harman.

Good to see Rodrigues back in the side and among runs. Too good for the bench. https://t.co/hZWIEEQPOa

— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) October 7, 2021

Both games now a must-win for the Indians
 

And the match has been abandoned! India need to win the final two games to take the series #AUSvIND

— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) October 7, 2021

Unfortunately, the match has been called off, as the weather plays spoilsport once again after holding up play for the most part in the first two days of the one-off Test.

Both teams collect a point each, with Australia still leading the multi-format series 7-5

In case Australia are given a total of five overs to chase, they will be set a target of 63.

Play will need to restart in another 36 minutes for us to have a result

UPDATE: Due to rain, India’s innings has been completed.

Australia will commence their innings when play can be restarted and available overs is confirmed.

Play will need to recommence by 9:06pm (AEST) for Australia to complete the minimum 5 overs #AUSvIND https://t.co/PGl9T07k5R

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 7, 2021

JUST IN: Due to the continued interruption caused by rain, India’s innings has been declared completed at 131/4, with Jemimah Rodrigues remaining stranded on 49 off 36 balls.

First the Test, and now the T20Is!

Yep, just enough rain to be annoying #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/wjuZDPKjom

— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) October 7, 2021

After 15.2 overs,India Women 131/4 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 49 , Richa Ghosh (W) 17)

Wareham in place of McGrath. Meanwhile, it’s starting to rain at Gold Coast at the moment and what starts off as a light drizzle gets heavier two deliveries into the 16th over, forcing the players and umpires to beat a hasty retreat.

After 15 overs,India Women 130/4 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 48 , Richa Ghosh (W) 17)

Vlaeminck’s brought back one last time in this innings. Ghosh gets a thick top-edge in the third delivery that lands just out of mid on’s reach, allowing her to grab a brace. Rodrigues runs the ball down to fine leg three balls later, coming back for a quick second. Eight from the over, as the seamer signs off with 0/32 from her quota.

After 14 overs,India Women 122/4 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 44 , Richa Ghosh (W) 14)

Tahlia McGrath, who’s debuting today alongside Hannah Darlington, is brought in place of Nicola Carey as Lanning continues to shuffle her bowlers around. She’s off to an expensive start, conceding two boundaries in three balls to Ghosh — the first one nearly resulting in a catch for Wareham at deep midwicket. Single collected off the fourth and fifth balls before Ghosh collects her third boundary of the over with a thick outside edge past the keeper. 14 from the over. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, India are very much galloping along at the moment.

FOUR! Another thick outside edge off Ghosh’s bat, and the ball flies wide of the keeper before running away to the third for the third boundary of the over. IND 122/4

FOUR! Two boundaries in three balls for Ghosh, this time making room and getting a thick outside edge that clears short third! IND 116/4

FOUR! What could’ve been a wicket off her first delivery on debut for McGrath instead becomes a boundary. Ghosh goes for a flick, with the ball falling just short of Wareham at deep midwicket. Wareham fails to collect the ball on the bounce, as it rolls away to the boundary rope. IND 112/4

After 13 overs,India Women 108/4 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 43 , Richa Ghosh (W) 1)

What a start for Georgia Wareham, dismissing Yastika Bhatia off her very first delivery as the southpaw holes out to long on while looking to further accelerate the scoring rate for the visitors. Richa Ghosh is the next batter in, and gets off the mark with a single off the last delivery. Excellent over from the leg-spinner with two runs and a wicket from it.

OUT! Bhatia’s stay has come to an end as Wareham breaks the stand. Went for a log down the ground, without getting the distance to clear the long on boundary. Unfortunately for her, Vlaeminck was position in front of the rope in that region. IND 106/4

Bhatia c Vlaeminck b Wareham 15(15)

After 12 overs,India Women 106/3 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 42 , Yastika Bhatia 15)

Rodrigues continues to make merry, collecting two boundaries in four deliveries as Carey returns to the attack, bringing up the fifty stand with Bhatia in the process. Additionally, she moves into the 40s.

FOUR! Rodrigues brings up the fifty partnership with Bhatia in style. Carey once again bowls wide, but pitches it up, and Rodrigues once again targets the third region, only this time steering it instead of going for a cut. IND 106/3

FOUR! Rodrigues enjoying herself at the crease right now. She gets a thick bottom edge off a short, wide delivery from Carey, guiding the ball towards the third fence. IND 100/3

After 11 overs,India Women 96/3 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 33 , Yastika Bhatia 14)

Gardner returns, this time replacing Carey. Single off each of the first two balls, with Bhatia nearly getting run out in the second. Both Rodrigues and Bhatia then collect a boundary each in the remaining deliveries, targeting the third and the fine leg region respectively. 11 from the over. Rodrigues, meanwhile, is batting in the 30s and will hope to anchor the innings from here.

FOUR! Paddled away towards fine leg has Bhatia off Gardner! IND 96/3

FOUR! Rodrigues keeps getting the boundaries at regular intervals to maintain the pressure on the opposition. Targets the deep third fence off Gardner’s bowling this time. IND 91/3

After 10 overs,India Women 85/3 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 27 , Yastika Bhatia 9)

Debutante Hannah Darlington’s off to an expensive start after getting introduced in place of Ash Gardner — the first time in this innings that we have a seamer operating from both ends. Two fours in three balls for Rodrigues at the start of the over as she completes 1,000 T20I runs in style. She then rotates the strike with Bhatia in the remaining deliveries, with three singles coming off the remaining deliveries. 11 from the over. Decent little partnership starting to build now.

FOUR! Two boundaries in three balls for Rodrigues off Darlington, and what a way for her to bring up 1,000 T20I career runs! Similar shot as the one off the first delivery, only Rodrigues goes a little wider this time and gets more power on the shot. IND 82/3

FOUR! Rough start for debutante Hannah Darlington, as Rodrigues welcomes her into the attack with a loft over mid off. IND 78/3

After 9 overs,India Women 74/3 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 17 , Yastika Bhatia 8)

Nicola Carey introduced in place of Ellyse Perry. Seven from the over, including a boundary off the second delivery as Bhatia lofts a back-of-length delivery over mid off.

FOUR! Time for Yastika Bhatia to collect her first boundary. Goes for a a lofted drive over mid off, barely managing to clear the circle, though thanks to the quick outfield, the ball ends up beating the chasing fielder to the boundary. IND 72/3

After 8 overs,India Women 67/3 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 15 , Yastika Bhatia 3)

Gardner brought back as Lanning shuffles through her spinners at the other end. Nine from the over, including a well-time cut by Rodrigues in the fifth for her first boundary of the innings. The pair meanwhile, are doing a decent job of rotating the strike through singles when the boundaries are not coming their way.

FOUR! Rodrigues goes for the cut, the ball flying through point and all the way to the boundary. First four for the Indian No 3. IND 66/3

After 7 overs,India Women 58/3 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 8 , Yastika Bhatia 1)

Ellyse Perry introduced after the powerplay with Vlaeminck given a breather. The star all-rounder starts off on a tidy note, giving away just three singles as Yastika Bhatia gets off the mark.

After 6 overs,India Women 55/3 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 6 , Yastika Bhatia 0)

Molineux returns. Both Rodrigues and Kaur collect a boundary in this over, before the latter’s trapped LBW by a full, straight delivery to depart for 12. Out walks Yastika Bhatia, as India end the powerplay with 55 runs on the board. Despite the loss of three wickets, has been a decent start so far which can translate to a big score if Rodrigues, Bhatia and the rest are able to build a big partnership or two between them.

OUT! Another wicket to spin, this time it’s Molineux who gets her name in the wickets column as she traps Kaur LBW with a full delivery. The Indian skipper looked to defend, but didn’t quite get close to the line of the delivery. IND 55/3

Harmanpreet LBW Molineux 12(5)

FOUR! A third boundary for the Indian captain, as she sweeps Molineux towards the fine leg fence! IND 55/2

FOUR! Rodrigues rocks back and uses the depth of her crease well to cut behind point off Molineux! IND 50/2

After 5 overs,India Women 46/2 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 1 , Harmanpreet Kaur (C) 8)

Vlaeminck continues, and it looks like the twin-strike in the previous over will help tighten things up for the Aussies. Not for Harmanpreet Kaur, who in her first game of the series, gets going right away with back-to-back fours off the seamer. Nine from the over.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Harmanpreet, once again targetting the deep square leg region. Perry runs towards the ball from long leg, and puts in a slide in vain. IND 46/2

FOUR! Harmanpreet Kaur gets off the mark in her first game of the tour, pulling a short ball towards the vacant midwicket fence. IND 42/2

After 4 overs,India Women 37/2 ( Jemimah Rodrigues 0 , Harmanpreet Kaur (C) 0)

What a bowling change by Meg Lanning, bringing Ash Gardner in place of Sophie Molineux, as she gets rid of both in-form openers Mandhana and Verma in a space of four deliveries, while getting hit for a six by the latter in the process. With two new batters in Rodrigues and skipper Kaur in the crease, Australia now have the chance to dictate terms in the powerplay.

OUT! Two wickets in her first over for Ash Gardner! What a start this has turned out to be for the off-spinner. Verma looks for consecutive hits over the fence, but doesn’t get the same distance and elevation as she did in the previous delivery, hitting it straight down Georgia Wareham’s throat. IND 37/2

Verma c Wareham b Gardner 18(14)

SIX! Third six for Verma, as she once again gets one in the ‘slot’. Hoicks this towards the midwicket fence, where the ball comfortably clears the fence. IND 37/1

OUT! Ash Gardner strikes in her second delivery of the day! Mandhana ends up skieing the ball towards mid off/mid on region, where Darlington settles under the ball and collects it safely. IND 31/1

Mandhana c Darlington b Gardner 17(10)

After 3 overs,India Women 29/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 15 , Shafali Verma 12)

Vlaeminck appears to be getting the better of Verma in this over for the most part, beating her attempted paddles with a slight adjustment in her line and the extra pace. Verma though, adjusts beautifully for a full delivery along leg in the fifth ball, clearing her front foot and whipping over long on for her second maximum. Seven from the over, including a wide.

SIX! Shafali shuffles to her left and uses her wrists to whip a full delivery from Vlaeminck over long on for a 73m maximum, straight into the Aussie dugout! IND 29/0

After 2 overs,India Women 22/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 15 , Shafali Verma 6)

Lanning introduces spin from the other end, with left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux getting the ball. Mandhana welcomes her into the attack with a smack over mid on for a boundary. Mandhana’s not done though, going for an inside out loft over mid off for a six four balls later before sweeping behind square for her second four. 14 from the over. India off to a promising start.

FOUR! Mandhana’s making merry at the moment! Gets down on one knee and sweeps behind square towards the vacant boundary. IND 22/0

SIX! Now Mandhana’s starting to enjoy herself at the crease, stepping down the ground and going for an inside out lofted drive over mid off. Just about manages to clear the boundary rope in the end. IND 18/0

FOUR! Sophie Molineux from the other end, and she’s off to an expensive start in her spell as Mandhana lofts the ball over mid on for a boundary! IND 12/0

After 1 over,India Women 8/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 1 , Shafali Verma 6)

Taylah Vlaeminck starts off with a huge no-ball to Smriti Mandhana, who’s on strike at the start of the innings, and gets off the mark the next ball with a single. Shafali Verma then gets off the mark in style with a six, making room for an inside out heave over extra cover for a maximum. Eight from the over.

SIX! Shafali Verma opens her account in style, going for an inside out heave over extra cover that clears the boundary rope! IND 8/0

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma walk out to open the Indian innings after the visitors have been asked to bat by Meg Lanning. Tayla Vlaeminck, who had missed out on the ODIs and the Test, to open the bowling for the Southern Stars. Both Mandhana and Verma in form at the moment, and will hope to get their side off to a strong start.

Debuts:

Australia: Hannah Darlington and Tahlia McGrath

India: Renuka Singh and Yastika Bhatia

Teams:

Australia XI: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Hannah Darlington, Tayla Vlaeminck

India Women XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh

TOSS: Australia win the toss, and skipper Meg Lanning opts to bowl

An evening to remember, even if it didn’t end well for the Indians

Last time we played a T20 against @BCCIWomen 👀pic.twitter.com/4mNxXwdpB5

— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) October 7, 2021

ICYMI

Here’s Smriti Mandhana reminiscing her knock of 127 in the first innings of the pink-ball Test, and how she was lucky to have been dismissed off an Ellyse Perry no-ball at the start of the second day, making the most of the lifeline to become only the second Indian cricketer to score a pink-ball hundred.

Read: Smriti Mandhana says she got lucky with the no ball while batting in 1st innings

Former India women’s head coach WV Raman, who’s currently commentating on the series for the Sony Network, has urged the team to play with more intent in the build-up to the Women’s World Cup that takes place in New Zealand next year.

“Go out with the intent that even if we play ordinary cricket we must get 250-260 runs,” said the former India cricketer in a recent interaction.

“We now just want to go all out and win the series at any cost”

Harmanpreet Kaur, who was last seen in action for the Manchester Originals in The Hundred earlier this summer, is certainly fired up ahead of the T20I leg of the tour of Australia as she seeks a winning start to the series.

Read: Harmanpreet Kaur wants her team ’to go all out’ and win T20I series ‘at any cost’

Harmanpreet Kaur’s back in action after sitting out of the ODIs and the one-off Test due to injury, as she takes over the reigns of the Indian team from Mithali Raj, whose tour of Australia has come to an end along with Jhulan Goswami. Kaur will hope to guide India to a winning start to draw level with the Aussies, who currently lead the multi-format series 6-4, and hope to finish the tour on a high by coming out on top in the 20-over leg.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the first T20I between Australia and India at the Metricon Stadium, a.k.a. the Carrara Oval in Gold Coast with the multi-format series once again returning to the white-ball format after the one-off pink-ball Test ended in a draw at the same venue.