Australia beat India by 19 runs in second women’s T20 international – as it happened

Guardian Sport

by Megan Maurice

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Australia defeated India by 19 runs in the second women’s T20 international match played in Canberra, tying the series at 1-1. The match was a showcase of skillful batting and strategic bowling, with both teams putting up competitive performances. Australia’s strong start with the bat set the tone for their victory, as they posted a total of 163 runs in their innings. India put up a valiant effort but fell short, ending at 144/8. This win not only leveled the series but also highlighted the growing competitiveness of women’s cricket on the international stage. The match began with India’s bowlers putting early pressure on Australia’s top-order, including standout performances by Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vaghasia. However, Australian openers Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healey showed composure under pressure, anchoring their team’s innings with steady contributions. The partnership between Lanning and Healey was crucial, as they laid the foundation for Australia’s total. Lanning played a masterful knock of 64 runs, while Healey chipped in with 32 runs off just 18 balls, showcasing her ability to accelerate when needed. India’s batting lineup struggled against the Australian bowling attack, which included the likes of Ellyse Perry and Tamsyn Beaumont. The Indian top-order failed to capitalize on early opportunities, losing wickets at regular intervals. While Harmanpreet Kaur showed glimpses of her batting prowess with a 28-run knock, it was not enough to guide India over the target. The middle order, including players like Deepti Sharma and Shikha Sharma, also struggled to build partnerships, which proved costly

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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 2/19/2026