2nd T20I: Voll’s 88 helps Australia beat India by 19 runs, get first points in multi-format series

February 19, 2026

Canberra: Georgia Voll’s career-best 88, a record opening partnership with Beth Mooney, and excellent bowling in the death overs helped Australia defeat India by 19 runs in the second women’s T20I at Manuka Oval on Thursday.

Strong start with record opening partnership

This victory marked Australia’s first T20I win under captain Sophie Molineux. With this win, Australia secured their first points in the multi-format series and will now look to win the series in the third T20I at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Georgia and Beth added 128 runs for the first wicket, Australia’s highest partnership in T20Is against India. The team scored 163/5 in 20 overs.

Georgia Voll’s explosive innings

Georgia scored 88 runs off 57 balls. She was dismissed by Arundhati Reddy in the 15th over. Beth Mooney scored 46 runs, falling four runs short of a half-century. Arundhati took 2/30. However, after being 128 for no wicket until the 14th over, Australia slowed down, losing five wickets for just 49 runs in the last 42 balls.

India’s fast start, then a setback

In response, India’s opening pair made a strong start, scoring 54 for no wicket in the powerplay. However, Australia made a brilliant comeback, dismissing India’s top order within four overs. India were 71/3 at halftime. Harmanpreet Kaur and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh then kept hopes alive with a 55-run partnership.

The turning point of the match in the 17th over

Kim Garth dismissed Harmanpreet (36) with a slower ball in the 17th over, turning the match around. India then lost the last six wickets for just seven runs, reaching 144/9.

Australia’s accurate bowling

Ashleigh Gardner performed brilliantly, taking 3/22. Kim, Annabel Sutherland, and Sophie each took two wickets. Australia successfully defended a seemingly modest total by using their variations to great effect. India will regret not converting their good start into a big innings.

Brief Scores:
Australia 163/5 (20 overs) – Georgia Voll 88, Beth Mooney 46; Arundhati Reddy 2/30, Renuka Singh Thakur 1/27
India 144/9 (20 overs) – Harmanpreet Kaur 36, Smriti Mandhana 31; Ashleigh Gardner 3/22, Annabel Sutherland 2/18
Australia won by 19 runs.