At the D.Y. Patil Stadium in this city on Sunday, India Women kept their composure to defeat Australia Women in the second T20I's Super Over and tie the five-match series at one game each.
India and Australia both reached a total of 187 in their allotted 20 overs, hence the outcome was settled by a Super Over.
Smriti's quick-fire 13 off 3 runs, Richa's six and Harmanpreet's one helped India score 20 runs in the Super Over off the bowling of Heather Graham.
Alyssa Healy's response saw her smash Renuka for a boundary in the first ball, but she came back well by scoring just one run on the next ball and dismissing Gardner on the following delivery. In the following three balls, she gave up 11 runs, and India eventually won the Super Over by five runs.
Prior to this, Australia Women scored 187/1 thanks to attacking fifties from Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath. Against India's mediocre bowling and fielding, Mooney (82 not out) and McGrath (70 not out) put together a strong unbroken stand of 158 runs for the second wicket.
Before being dismissed in the 17th over, Smriti Mandhana responded with a stunning half-century that kept India in the chase. After Smriti was out, Richa Ghosh took over and smacked three consecutive sixes to give the innings the required boost.
In order to square the game, India Women eventually required 14 runs in six balls. Richa (26 off 13) and Devika Vaidya (11 not out off 5) both scored 13 runs.
Other notable Indian scorers included Harmanpreet Kaur (21 off 22) and Shafali Verma (34 off 23), in addition to Smriti and Richa. The most effective bowler for Australia was rookie Heather Graham, who had outstanding statistics of 3/22.
Brief scores: Australia Women 187/1 in 20 overs (Mooney 82 not out, McGrath 70 not out; Deepti 1-31) vs India Woman 187/5 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 79, Shafali Verma 34, Richa Ghosh 26 not out; Heather Graham 3-22) Match tied.
Super Over: India W: 20/1 (1) beat Australia W: 16/1 (1)