CWG 2022 | Gave away winning game on a platter, Mohammed Azharuddin delivers verdict on final

Nevertheless, the Women in Blue bowled well in the match to restrict Australia to a par score of 161, setting themselves a gettable target. With the top four comprising of a mix of experience and young talent in the form of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, it looked like an upset might be on the cards. The subcontinent side started off well, hammering two boundaries in the first over and taking initiative right out of the block.

The positive vibe did not last for long though, courtesy of some brilliant bowling by Darcy Brown in the second over. The seamer bowled her first four balls wide off the off stump, tempting Mandhana to chase after it and even giving away a boundary in the process. However, the trap kicked in on the fifth delivery when Brown rattled a bowl towards the leg stump catching the batswoman off guard, and sending the stump flying. A disappointing way to lose her wicket, Mandhana walked off angered only to see Verma get out in an even sillier manner the very next over.

The 18-year-old skied the first delivery of the third over only for Megan Schutt to drop a sitter. But the youngster did not learn a lesson and repeated the same mistake just three deliveries after, this time leading to a simple catch by Ashleigh Gardner. Nevertheless, India made a strong comeback through a flying 65 off 43 deliveries from Harmanpreet Kaur and a steady run-a-ball 33 from Jemimah Rodrigues. But the duo lost their wickets in quick succession at a crucial juncture with the team still needing 41 runs from 25 balls.

Despite the unfavourable result, the Indian Women can take inspiration from their string of good performances at the tournament and gain confidence for better showings in the future.