Team India's wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh's fighting knock of 96 off 117 balls went in vain as the hosts suffered a thrilling 3-run defeat to Australia in Women's 2nd ODI at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, December 30.
With a target of 258, India were restricted to 255 for 8 by Australian bowling attack. Richa Ghosh put up a brilliant performance with the bat, but her team fell just three runs achieving the target. Jemimah Rodrigues came up with goods, scoring 44 off 55 balls and formed 88-run partnership with Ghosh for the third wicket.
For Australia, Annabel Sutherland led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Georgia Wareham scalped two wickets. Sutherland picked a crucial wicket of Richa Ghosh to turn the game around for the visitors.
After Richa Ghosh's wicket, the middle-order failed to step up, except Deepti Sharma. India were in control of the chase with 218/4 on the board but the hosts batting collapsed, losing four wickets in 38 runs.
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Deepti Sharma shone with fifer against Australia
Deepti Sharma emerged as star player in India's bowling against Australia in the 2nd ODI at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The spinner registered the figures of 5/38 at an economy rate of 3.8 in 10 overs. Deepti Sharma picked the wickets of Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahila McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, and Georgia Wareham. The wickets of Perry and McGrath helped India to restrict Australia below 300.
Deepti Sharma registered her first five-wicket haul against Australia in Women's ODIs. Apart from Deepti, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, and Sneh Rana too contributed in India's bowling by taking a wicket each.
For Australia, Ellyse Perry top-scored with 50, followed by Alana King and Tahila McGrath, who scored 28* and 24, respectively
Richa Ghosh displayed fighting spirit
Richa Ghosh played one of the best ODI knocks in career. India were 71/2 after dismissal of Yashtika Bhatia (14) and Smriti Mandhana (34) when Ghosh stepped up and formed a crucial partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues.
Georgia Wareham picked the wicket of Rodrigues at 159/3 and almost shifted the momentum of the game towards Australia. Harmanpreet Kaur failed to deliver as she was dismissed by Wareham for 5.
Richa was waging a lone battle as he received a little support at the other end of the crease. She looked in good rhythm but his dismissal at 218/5 changed the scenario of the game. Richa Ghosh missed out on a well-deserved century by just four runs. India were ultimately restricted to 255/8, falling just three runs of achieving the target.
