It took a 20-run super over, smashed off first-gamer Heather Graham, for India to end an unbeaten run across all-formats in 2022 for Australia after a T20 classic in Mumbai.
India needed to make history with a record chase in front of a sellout 45,000 fans after Aussie stars Beth Mooney (82no off 54) and Tahlia McGrath (70no off 51) produced Australia’s highest T20I partnership of 171 as the visitors posted 1-187.
The hosts needed 14 runs off the final over to win, off the bowling of veteran seamer Megan Schutt, and tied the match with a four off the final ball from Smriti Mandhana.
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India then batted first in the super over, with Graham, on debut, given the task of bowling.
Mandhana smashed 13 off three balls and Richa Ghosh six off two, both clearing the boundary, while Harmanpreet Kaur was unbeaten on one as India took 20 runs off Graham – the best super over in women’s T20I history.
Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardner and McGrath then managed just 16 runs off Renuka Thakur in response, bringing to an end Australia’s unbeaten run in 22 matches across all formats in 2022.
Graham, who took 3-22 in the first 20 overs to star with the ball, said she “definitely” didn’t think she’d be bowling a super over in her first game, especially in front of 45,000 people.
“It was extremely challenging, the wicket just got better and the outfield was lightning quick with short boundaries, so as a bowler it wasn’t too fun,” she said.
“I thought it might have been (Schutt) who got the nod to bowl, but (captain Alyssa Healy) looked over and said ‘you’re bowling the super over’.
“I’ve had some experience with that in the WBBL. Unfortunately, it didn’t come off today.
“We just take massive learnings from that … to battle through our bowling and take it to a super over.
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“The crowd was unbelievable … we get about 3000 max in the WBBL, it was an amazing experience.
“I turned to Phoebe (Litchfield) who was on debut as well and I just said ‘this is insane’ and to soak it all in.”
Litchfield didn’t get a bat in her first game for Australia, as Mooney and McGrath pummelled 23 fours and a six in their record stand.
Their stand was 20 runs higher than the previous record of 151 set by Mooney and Healy against Bangladesh during the 2020 World Cup.
McGrath, who only made her T20I debut in October 2021, has already featured in four of Australia’s seven highest 20I partnerships.
Before the game captain Healy presented Litchfield with her cap, while McGrath handed Graham hers.
They replaced Jess Jonassen, who has flown home with a hamstring injury, and Grace Harris (illness) in the Australian XI.
The final three games of the series will be played at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium.
