Cricket is more than just a game in countries like Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs India Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard—it’s a passion that unites millions. When the Australia Women’s National Cricket Team, often called the Southern Stars, takes on the India Women’s National Cricket Team, you know you’re in for a treat. These two teams are powerhouses in women’s cricket, with Australia dominating the global stage and India rising as a fierce competitor. Their clashes are always intense, filled with skill, strategy, and heart. In this article, we’ll dive into a recent match between these two teams, specifically the 18th match of Group A in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, held on October 13, 2024, in Sharjah. We’ll break down the scorecard, highlight key moments, and explain why this match was a classic. Whether you’re a cricket newbie or a die-hard fan, this article will make the game easy to understand and enjoy.
The Build-Up to the Match
The Australia Women’s team, led by stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath (with regular captain Alyssa Healy sidelined), is a juggernaut. They’ve won multiple World Cups and are known for their depth and all-round talent. India, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, has been making waves with their aggressive batting and sharp bowling. This match was critical for India—they needed a big win to boost their net run rate (NRR) and secure a spot in the semifinals. Australia, already a strong contender, aimed to maintain their unbeaten streak and cement their dominance.
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium was buzzing with anticipation. The pitch was tricky, sometimes skidding low, sometimes offering bounce, making it a challenge for batters and bowlers alike. Both teams knew they had to adapt quickly to the conditions. Let’s dive into the scorecard and see how this thrilling contest unfolded.
The Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs India Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Breakdown
Below is the detailed Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs India Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, presented in an easy-to-read table. This was a T20 match, meaning each team had 20 overs to bat and score as many runs as possible.
|
Team |
Innings |
Score |
Overs |
Wickets Lost |
Key Performers (Batting) |
Key Performers (Bowling) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Australia Women |
1st Innings (Batting) |
151/8 | 20.0 | 8 |
Grace Harris (40), Ellyse Perry (32), Phoebe Litchfield (15*) |
Renuka Singh Thakur (2/24), Deepti Sharma (2/28) |
|
India Women |
2nd Innings (Batting, Target: 152) |
142/9 | 20.0 | 9 |
Harmanpreet Kaur (54*), Deepti Sharma (29) |
Annabel Sutherland (2/22), Sophie Molineux (2/32) |
Australia’s Batting: Setting a Competitive Total
Australia batted first after winning the toss. They started steadily, with openers Beth Mooney and Grace Harris putting on a solid foundation. Grace Harris was the standout, scoring a quick 40 runs off just 26 balls, including some cracking boundaries. Her aggressive approach set the tone, but India’s bowlers fought back. Renuka Singh Thakur struck early, dismissing Mooney for 27, and Deepti Sharma’s spin caused trouble in the middle overs, removing key batters like Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner.
Ellyse Perry, one of Australia’s most reliable players, played a crucial knock of 32, keeping the innings together when wickets fell around her. The pitch wasn’t easy—some balls kept low, making strokeplay tricky. Phoebe Litchfield’s unbeaten 15 at the end, along with some late hitting from Annabel Sutherland, helped Australia reach 151/8 in their 20 overs. It wasn’t a massive total, but on a challenging pitch, it was competitive. India’s bowlers, especially Renuka (2/24) and Deepti (2/28), kept things tight, but Australia’s depth ensured they had enough runs to defend.
India’s Chase: A Valiant Effort Falls Short
Chasing 152, India needed a strong start. Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana came out firing, with Shafali smashing 20 runs off just 13 balls. But Australia’s bowlers, led by Ashleigh Gardner, struck back. Gardner dismissed Shafali, and soon after, Mandhana fell for 6, caught off Megan Schutt’s bowling. The middle overs were tough for India—Australia’s spinners, including Sophie Molineux, piled on the pressure with tight bowling, forcing India to play too many dot balls (balls where no runs are scored).
Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s captain, anchored the chase with an unbeaten 54 off 47 balls. Her calm presence and ability to find boundaries kept India in the hunt. Deepti Sharma supported her with a quick 29, and together they brought the equation down to 14 runs needed off the final over. That’s when Annabel Sutherland stepped up for Australia. Bowling full and straight, she kept Harmanpreet away from the strike and took two wickets in the over, finishing with figures of 2/22. India ended at 142/9, falling just 9 runs short. Molineux’s 2/32, including the crucial wicket of Deepti, was a game-changer.
Key Moments That Defined the Match
Every cricket match has moments that swing the game one way or another. Here are the turning points from this clash:
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Shafali Verma’s Early Aggression: Shafali’s quick 20 got India off to a flyer, raising hopes of a comfortable chase. Her dismissal by Gardner in the fifth over slowed India down, as they struggled to maintain momentum.
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Deepti Sharma’s Bowling Spell: Deepti’s spin in the middle overs disrupted Australia’s batting. Her wickets of McGrath and Gardner kept Australia from posting a bigger total, giving India a fighting chance.
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Harmanpreet Kaur’s Fighting Fifty: Harmanpreet’s unbeaten 54 was the backbone of India’s chase. Her ability to stay calm under pressure nearly pulled off an upset, but she couldn’t get enough support at the end.
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Annabel Sutherland’s Final Over: Needing 14 runs in the last over, India had a chance. Sutherland’s composure, bowling pinpoint yorkers and denying Harmanpreet the strike, sealed the game for Australia.
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Australia’s Fielding Excellence: Ellyse Perry’s boundary-saving efforts and sharp fielding by the Australian team put extra pressure on India’s batters, preventing easy runs.
Why This Match Mattered
This wasn’t just another game—it had huge implications for both teams. For Australia, the 9-run victory ensured they topped Group A and marched into the semifinals for the ninth consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup. Their ability to win tight games shows why they’re champions. As Tahlia McGrath said after the match, “We want to win every game we play. India came really hard at us, and I’m proud of how the girls stepped up”.
For India, the loss was heartbreaking. They needed a big win to improve their NRR and secure a semifinal spot. Despite Harmanpreet’s heroics, they fell short, and their fate now depended on other results, specifically Pakistan’s match against New Zealand. Harmanpreet reflected, “It was a chaseable total, but we couldn’t hit a few loose balls. We can learn a lot from Australia”. This loss highlighted India’s need for more consistency in big moments, but their fight showed they’re closing the gap with the best.
The Bigger Picture: Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs India Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Rivalry
The Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs India Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard rivalry in women’s cricket is one of the most exciting in the sport. Australia has historically had the upper hand, with seven ODI World Cup titles and six T20 World Cup titles compared to India’s zero. India has reached the ODI World Cup final twice (2005 and 2017) and the T20 World Cup final once (2020), losing to Australia in 2005 and 2020. But India’s recent performances, like their T20I series win against England in 2025, show they’re becoming a serious threat.
This match was a perfect example of the rivalry’s intensity. Australia’s experience and depth gave them the edge, but India’s never-say-die attitude kept the game close. Players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Smriti Mandhana are world-class, and with young talents like Shafali Verma emerging, India is building a team to challenge Australia’s dominance.
Player Spotlights
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the stars of the match:
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Harmanpreet Kaur (India): Her 54* was a captain’s knock, full of grit and skill. With 726 runs in Women’s T20 World Cups, she’s tied with Mithali Raj for India’s most in the tournament.
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Annabel Sutherland (Australia): At just 23, Sutherland’s clutch bowling in the final over showed why she’s a rising star. Her 2/22 was pivotal.
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Ellyse Perry (Australia): Perry’s 32 with the bat and brilliant fielding made her a standout. She’s a true all-rounder and a veteran of 150 ODIs.
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Deepti Sharma (India): Deepti’s 2/28 with the ball and 29 with the bat showed her value as an all-rounder. She’s one of India’s most consistent performers.
What Can We Learn from This Match?
For fans, this game was a reminder of why women’s cricket is so exciting. The skill, passion, and drama were on full display. For players and coaches, there are lessons too:
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Adapt to Conditions: The tricky Sharjah pitch demanded smart batting and bowling. Australia’s ability to adjust their game plan was key.
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Depth Wins Games: Australia’s success came from contributions across the team, not just one or two players. India relied heavily on Harmanpreet, which cost them when others couldn’t step up.
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Nerve in Crunch Moments: Sutherland’s composure in the final over and Perry’s fielding showed how small moments can decide big games.
Looking Ahead
This match was part of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, but the Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs India Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard rivalry will continue. Australia is gearing up to defend their 50-over World Cup title in 2026, while India is preparing for the T20 World Cup in England the same year. With players like Shafali Verma and Annabel Sutherland representing the next generation, the future of this rivalry is bright.
For India, the focus will be on building depth and handling pressure situations better. For Australia, it’s about staying ahead of the pack as teams like India close in. Fans can look forward to their next clash, possibly in the Australia Women’s tour of India in September 2025, featuring matches at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Conclusion
The Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs India Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard on October 13, 2024, was a classic T20 encounter. Australia’s 151/8 was just enough to hold off India’s spirited chase of 142/9, thanks to clutch performances from Sutherland and Perry. Harmanpreet Kaur’s fighting fifty gave India hope, but Australia’s experience and teamwork prevailed. The scorecard tells a story of skill, strategy, and heart, showcasing why this rivalry is one of cricket’s best. Whether you’re cheering for the Southern Stars or Team India, matches like these remind us why we love cricket—it’s a game where anything can happen, and every ball counts.
