BIRMINGHAM: Indian pacer Renuka Singh dismantled Australia’s top order before Ashleigh Gardner stole the show with a valiant 52 not-out and powered her side to a thrilling victory over India in the Commonwealth Games 2022 opener.

Coming out to bat at 34/4 while chasing 155, Australia’s middle-order batter Gardner displayed sheer grit as she steered her side over the line with an astonishing and unbeaten knock of 52.

The right-handed batter stopped the flow of wickets for India with her valiant effort and at the same time kept Australia in the hunt as she ticked the scoreboard at a decent pace. Gardner remained unbeaten on 52 off 35 deliveries, laced with nine boundaries.

Right-handed batter Grace Harris remained the other notable run-getter as she chipped in with a valuable 37 off a mere 20 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and two sixes.

Harris, alongside Gardner, put on an important 51-run partnership for the sixth wicket to strengthen Australia’s position in the game.

Following Harris’ dismissal, Gardner then joined hands with Alana King and put on an astounding 47-run unbeaten partnership for the second wicket which powered Australia to claim a scintillating victory in 19 overs. King scored 18 off 16 deliveries.

For India, Renuka led the way with four wickets for a mere 18 runs, while Deepti Sharma claimed two. Meghna Singh, on the other hand, made one scalp.

Batting first, India finished at a commendable 154/8 in the allotted 20 overs at the back of an outstanding half-century from their skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and opening batter Shafali Verma, who remained two runs short of the milestone.

Kaur led from the front as she top scored for the side with 52 off 34 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries and a six, while Verma scored 48 off 33 balls including nine boundaries.

Opening batter Smriti Mandhana scored a quickfire 24 off 17 balls at top of the order to provide her side with a flying start. The rest of the Indian batters, however, remained unable to get into the double figures.

Lef-arm spinner Jess Jonassen was the pick of the bowlers for Australia as she bagged four wickets for 22, while Megan Schutt claimed two. Darcie Brown, however, struck out a batter.

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