IND vs AUS Women, Day 3: India has firmly asserted its dominance in the Mumbai Test against Australia, leaving the tourists in a precarious position.
3rd session: Spinners put India on TOP
The third-session was again bossed by the spinners as skipper Harmanpreet Kaur took two massive wickets of Tahlia McGrath and Alyssa Healy. Sneh Rana was also impressive with the ball but failed to get any wickets in the final session of the Day 3. At Stumps, Australia Women posted 233/5 as they lead by 46 runs.
2nd session: Australia Resilient as they narrow the deficit against India
In a session marked by determined play, Australia has shown resilience, securing a solitary wicket with Ellyse Perry’s dismissal due to a leg-side strangle. McGrath’s strategic use of reach to counteract spin has proven effective, and coupled with Perry’s contributions, they applied pressure on the Indian bowlers by capitalizing on loose deliveries.
The current deficit stands at a mere 31 runs, and as Australia inches closer to erasing it, each run becomes increasingly critical. While India maintains the upper hand, the challenge lies ahead as they will be batting last on a pitch that is expected to pose difficulties. The upcoming phases of the game promise heightened excitement and strategic manoeuvring as both teams vie for control in this closely contested match.
1st session: India dominates
In a riveting session, Australia employed an effective short-ball strategy to wrap up India swiftly, claiming five wickets for just 93 runs in a mere 35 minutes. The visitors’ aggressive approach paid off, disrupting the Indian batting lineup.
Pooja Vastrakar showcased resilience, reaching an impressive 47, but fell victim to Sutherland’s tactics. Deepti Sharma emerged as the top-scorer with a commendable 78, steering India to a total of 406 with a substantial first-innings lead of 187 runs.
Australia’s batting duo, Mooney and Litchfield, exhibited a positive start but succumbed to pressure, losing their wickets. As the players head to lunch, Australia stands at 63 for 2, trailing by 124 runs. The session marked a shared effort over the three days, setting the stage for an intriguing Test match.
Going into Day 3, India were trailing by 157 runs with only three wickets remaining in their first innings.
At the close of play on day two, the Indian team stands at 7-376, showcasing a commanding performance, especially highlighted by the unbroken century partnership between Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar for the eighth wicket. This resilient duo not only steered India towards a substantial lead but also positioned them for a potential historic Test victory against Australia.
IND vs AUS Women: Day 2 recap
Australia’s performance on day two was marred by midfields and dropped catches, exposing vulnerabilities in the fielding department. The Australian seamers also faced criticism for adopting a strategy of bowling too full and wide on the slow Wankhede Stadium pitch.
Spinner Ash Gardner emerged as a key figure, claiming four crucial wickets on Friday, while leg-spinner Alana King showcased her skill despite facing a lack of luck.
As the Mumbai Test enters its third day, scheduled to commence at 9:30 AM IST, Australia finds itself in a challenging situation. The task ahead involves not only limiting India’s lead but also mounting a substantial comeback to avoid a potential heavy defeat. The series hangs in the balance, and day three promises to be a crucial chapter in this closely watched contest between two cricketing giants.
India Playing XI
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh
Australia Playing XI
Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Alyssa Healy (c/wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Kim Garth, Lauren Cheatle
