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Sophie Molineux-led Australia leveled the three-match T20I series 1-1 with a 19-run win over India in the second match, driven by a historic opening partnership between Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney. The duo put on a record-breaking 128-run stand, the highest ever for an Australian opening pair against India in this format. This dominant start allowed the hosts to post a competitive total of 163/5.
Australia beat India in 2nd T20I to level series
India’s response began with a spark, but the chase ultimately faltered as the batting lineup crumbled under pressure. The visitors were restricted to 144/9 by a disciplined Australian bowling attack. Ashleigh Gardner led the way with figures of 3/22, while Kim Garth, Annabel Sutherland, and captain Sophie Molineux each chipped in with two wickets to dismantle the Indian middle and lower order.
With the series now tied at 1-1, both teams turn their attention to the final encounter. The high-stakes series decider is scheduled to take place at the Adelaide Oval on February 21.
India batters falter in chase, surrender to Gardner's fury
India’s chase began with significant momentum as Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana ignited the innings with early fireworks. The opening duo displayed aggressive intent, powering the visitors to 54 runs within the powerplay and keeping the team firmly on track to reach the target. However, the tide began to turn when Sophie Molineux trapped Verma leg-before for a brisk 29, followed quickly by Ashleigh Gardner dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues for just 4.
The double blow stifled India’s scoring rate, and the situation worsened when Mandhana was caught sharply down the leg side by Beth Mooney off the bowling of Kim Garth. With the top order back in the dugout and the score at 71 for three, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh staged a recovery. The pair managed to stabilize the innings with a resilient 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket, keeping Indian hopes alive as the match entered its final stages.
Ultimately, the mounting asking rate forced the Indian batters into high-risk strokes that led to a dramatic collapse. Harmanpreet was caught at extra cover off Garth in the 17th over, and just three balls later, Ghosh was stumped off the bowling of Gardner. This sparked a devastating slide where India lost six wickets for a mere seven runs. The collapse was punctuated by Deepti Sharma falling for a duck, leaving India reeling at 128 for six and effectively ending their chances of a comeback.
Georgia Voll-Beth Mooney's towering partnership
The Australian innings was defined by a record-breaking opening stand between Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney, who combined for 128 runs. This partnership set a new high-water mark for Australia’s first wicket against India in women's T20Is, eclipsing the previous record of 115 runs set by Alyssa Healy and Mooney in March 2020. Their dominant performance laid the foundation for the hosts' total of 163 for five.
Voll was the primary aggressor from the outset, capitalizing on some inconsistent Indian bowling to dismantle the attack. She played a masterful innings of 88 off just 57 balls, showcasing her range with 11 boundaries and a six. While Voll found gaps with surgical precision, the veteran Mooney played the anchor role perfectly, contributing a steady 46 runs off 39 balls before falling just short of her half-century.
The breakthrough finally came in the 15th over when Arundhati Reddy dismissed Mooney, who was caught at mid-on by Shafali Verma. Reddy proved to be the standout performer for the Indian bowling unit, finishing with figures of 2/30 across her four overs after claiming both Australian openers. Despite her efforts, and a missed catching opportunity off her final delivery, the damage dealt by the opening pair had already shifted the momentum firmly in Australia's favor.
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