On Christmas Eve, India are on top and Australia on the opposite end. As Australia suffered first defeat against India in the Test cricket on Sunday. India’s quest for a historic 8-wicket win came to the end in their one-off Test (IND vs AUS Women) encounter at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
This is a historic moment for Indian cricket, as the hosts clinched their maiden Test victory against Australia in a thrilling encounter. Despite losing the toss, India displayed remarkable prowess by bundling out Australia for 219 on the opening day of the Test match.
Throughout the match, key players such as Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Pooja Vastrakar made significant contributions, establishing a formidable lead of 187 runs for India.
Australia’s Tahlia McGrath staged a comeback on day three with her second fifty of the match, offering resistance. However, Harmanpreet Kaur’s crucial wickets in the final session on the penultimate day set the stage for an intense finish.
The Indian bowlers showcased exceptional skill, claiming the last five Australian wickets for a mere 28 runs in the morning session of the final day. With a target of 75 runs, Shafali Verma’s early dismissal raised some tension, but Richa Ghosh, despite facing challenges and being dropped early in her innings, played a crucial role in a half-century partnership with Mandhana.
Mandhana’s fluent batting and the stylish left-hander’s composed innings ultimately led India to victory, securing their first-ever Test win against Australia. The historic win marks a significant achievement for Indian cricket and adds a memorable chapter to the team’s Test match legacy.
1st Session: In a session filled with thrilling cricket action, India demonstrated their dominance by swiftly dismissing the last five Australian wickets, conceding only 28 runs in a mere 75 minutes. Spearheaded by Vastrakar’s early breakthrough, Sneh Rana and Gayakwad each contributed with two crucial wickets, successfully wrapping up the Australian innings.
Facing a target of 75 runs, Shafali Verma provided a quick start for India, striking a boundary off the first ball but succumbing to a dismissal in the same over. Despite this setback, India showcased resilience, managing to maintain a wicket-free status after Verma’s departure. Richa faced some challenges, surviving a few close calls, including a dropped catch by Mooney when she was yet to open her account. However, Richa continues to hold her ground, providing crucial support to the comfortable-looking Mandhana.
Australia entered the final day with a 46-run deficit, positioned at 5-233 in their second innings. India set the stage for victory by amassing 406 runs in their first innings – their highest total against Australia, establishing a formidable 187-run lead.
To avert their first-ever defeat to India, Australia faces the daunting task of igniting their lower order while swiftly dismissing the Indian batters. Annabel Sutherland (12* off 67) and Ash Gardner (7*) will carry the responsibility of steering Australia against an assertive Indian bowling attack at the Wankhede Stadium.
IND vs AUS Women: Perry present in moment
Reflecting on the team’s strategy, Ellyse Perry emphasized the importance of staying “present” in the moment.
Perry acknowledged the team’s gradual adaptation to the conditions, highlighting a clear plan for the day. The overarching focus was on batting resolutely and playing each ball without being overly preoccupied with future outcomes.
With day four commencing at 9:30 AM IST, the cricketing world awaits to see if Australia can conjure the miraculous turnaround needed to thwart India’s pursuit of a historic Test victory.
