CWG: Indian women's cricket team lose humdinger against Australia

Indian pacer Renuka Thakur's sensational opening spell wasn't enough as India lost to Australia in their Commonwealth Games opener at Edgbaston.

Chasing 155 for victory, the Southern Stars snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, beating India by 3 wickets.

India's Renuka Thakur had reduced Australia to 34/4 at one stage and at 49/5, the World Champions were staring down the barrel. But Grace Harris & then Ashleigh Gardener blew the Indian bowlers away with their counter-attack. While Harris made 37 off 20, Gardener's 35-ball 52 took the Aussies home.

Earlier, riding on a 33-ball 48 from Shafali Verma and a superb fifty from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, India posted 154 on the board but as it turned out, the Women in Blue surrendered the advantage in the second half of the Australian innings.

India will next face Pakistan on July 31.