Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur tried everything to get the Indian women's team towards victory, however, with the fall of their wickets, the batting order collapsed and Australia won the tri-series title by 11 runs.

Jess Jonassen with her eye-popping figures of 5 for 12 and Beth Mooney's anchor innings of 71 not-out made sure the Indians did not achieve the 156 runs target.

Opting to bat, Australia posted 155 for six in its stipulated 20 overs. While chasing, Mandhana was right up as she scored 37-ball 66 and smashed 12 boundaries during her knock at the Junction Oval. 

However, Mandhana’s dismissal in the 15th overturned the match in Australia’s favour as it put the brakes on India’s scoring while at the same time taking wickets.

“It was a really good all-round performance. Getting Mandhana was the game-changer, she was whacking us all over the park,” said Australian captain Meg Lanning.

The departure of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in the 16th over dashed India’s hopes of a victory. “In the last three overs we couldn’t take the pressure and ended up losing wickets,” said Harmanpreet. 

Earlier in the day, India’s Rajeshwari Gayakwad had leaked 19 runs in the last over to let Australia off the hook and post a challenging total.

Opener Beth Mooney, who was awarded the Player of the Series for her 208 runs, top-scored for the host with 71 off 54 balls.

As for the Indian bowlers, Deepti finished with impressive figures of 2/30 in her four-over spell, while Gayakwad had 2/32. 

India’s 16-year-old No. 3 Richa Ghosh scored 17 runs off 23 balls in her international debut.