AUS-W vs IND-W : Mitchell Starc can’t contain laughter as Harmanpreet Kaur’s scoop attempt misses the mark during 2nd ODI

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The Australia-India Women’s International Series recently provided a moment of pure, unscripted comedy that reminded fans why cricket is as much about the camaraderie as it is about the competition. In the heat of the match, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur decided to unleash a high-risk innovation that ended with a resounding ‘clink’ rather than a ‘crack.’ As the ball made unexpected contact with her protective gear, the focus shifted from the pitch to the commentary box. There, Australian fast-bowler Mitchell Starc was caught in a moment of genuine hilarity, unable to mask his amusement at the absurdity of the play. It was a rare, lighthearted crossover between legends that immediately went viral among the viewers.

The incident unfolded during the 38.5 over when Megan Schutt delivered a ball that was a fraction short outside the off-stump. Harmanpreet, looking to accelerate the run rate, attempted a cheeky scoop shot to guide the ball over the keeper, but the timing went completely awry. Instead of finding the boundary, the ball ricocheted directly onto her helmet grille, creating a ‘funny shot’ that forced a mandatory check from the team physio.

Watching the replays in the commentary booth, Starc couldn’t hide a chuckle as he suggested adding the hit to the bowler’s ‘tall’ of batters she has ‘badged.’ His fellow commentators joined in the laughter, teasing that ‘badging’ a batter might be the only way Schutt can assert such dominance, especially since Kaur ‘cost herself a couple of runs’ with the failed attempt. Despite the heavy impact, Harmanpreet was all smiles after the check, showing she was perfectly fine and even seeing the humor in the failed experiment.

That's … not normally how this shot is supposed to go 😅#AUSvIND

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 27, 2026

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In a high-stakes second ODI at the Bellerive Oval on February 27, 2026, India’s ‘Women in Blue’ recovered from a mid-innings wobble to post a competitive 251/9 against Australia. After electing to bat first on a surface offering variable bounce, India enjoyed a flourishing start with Pratika Rawal (52) and Smriti Mandhana (31) stitching together a solid 78-run opening stand.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Rawal was involved in a controversial run-out shortly after reaching her half-century, triggering a collapse that saw India slip from a position of strength to a precarious 162/6. Captain Harmanpreet , battling a lingering knee injury, anchored the rescue mission with a resilient 54 off 70 balls, showing immense composure as wickets tumbled at the other end. She found crucial support from the lower order, particularly from Kashvee Gautam (25) and Kranti Goud (19), who added vital runs during the death overs to frustrate the Australian bowling attack.

For the hosts, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner and Alana King were the pick of the bowlers, each claiming two wickets to keep the pressure high. India eventually crossed the 250-run mark on the very last ball of the innings, courtesy of an overthrow that allowed debutant Vaishnavi Sharma and Sree Charani to scramble for a second run. With the pitch expected to assist spinners under the lights, India will be banking on their bowling unit to defend this total and level the three-match series. The match currently rests in a delicate balance, with Australia needing a steady start to counter India’s rejuvenated energy.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.