Harmanpreet Kaur. (photo file)
India lost to Australia by six wickets in the crucial match of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on Saturday.
India, in the final of the 2017 edition, failed to defend a total of 277 with Australia overhauling the target, scoring 280 for 4 in 49.3 overs to continue their unbeaten run in the showpiece event.
Meg Lanning (97) unified Australia’s top order with a 107-ball 97. Alyssa Healy (72), Rachel Haynes (43) and Beth Mooney (30 not out) were also among the runs.
Earlier, invited to bat, India posted 277 for 7 riding on the captain’s half-century Mithali Raj (68), Yastika Bhatia (59) and Harmanpreet Kaur (57 not out).
Brief Scores:
India: 277 for 7 in 50 overs (Mithali Raj 68, Yastika Bhatia 59, Harmanpreet Kaur 57 not out; Darcie Brown 3/30).
Australia: 280 for 4 in 49.3 overs (Meg Lanning 97; Pooja Vastrakar 2/43