India pacer Renuka Singh’s dream spell went in vain as Australia defeated India by 3 wickets in the Commonwealth Games opener at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday.  

India, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, put up 154 for eight against Australia. The decent total was driven by Shafali Verma (48 off 33 balls) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (52 off 34 balls) who put up stroked-filled innings.

However, the total was not enough as Australia reached the target with 6 balls to spare, despite a stunning spell by Renuka (4/18). 

Watch: Harmanpreet Kaur becomes first Indian woman to score 50 in Commonwealth Games

Renuka, playing only her seventh T20, broke the backbone of Australian batting order with figures of four for 18 in four overs. 

With Australia on the mat at 49 for 5, India should have completed the job but allowed Ashleigh Gardner (52 not out off 35 balls) to change the game in two game-changing stands of 51 and 47 with Grace Harris (37) and Alana King (18 not out) respectively.

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In the end, Australia overcame the target comfortably, showing the reigning T20 and ODI world champions can win from any situation.

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SQUADS

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Taniya Bhatia (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harleen Deol, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Sabbhineni Meghana, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, Shafali Verma, Radha Yadav.

Australia: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington.