India have registered their maiden women’s Test victory over Australia, victorious by eight wickets at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
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After taking the last four wickets cheaply on the final morning, India chased down 75 for the loss of two wickets to hand Australia their first Test defeat in over a decade. Australia had threatened to set a competitive target, building to 206-3 after India claimed a sizeable first innings lead. However, after top-scorer Tahlia McGrath was bowled by Harmanpreet Kaur for 73, India ran through the tail, bowling Australia out for 261.
There were few alarms in the chase. Kim Garth nicked off India opener Shefali Verma for four in the first over before Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh stitched together a 55-run stand. The latter holed out to Tahila McGrath for 13 off Ashleigh Gardner, leaving Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues to knock off the remainder of the runs.
Sneh Rana was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 4-63 in addition to her 3-56 in the first innings, winning the Player of the Match award. She received able support from spinner Rajeshwari Gaikwad, who claimed two wickets in the collapse on the final morning, bowling Garth and Jess Jonassen with a peach.
A Test match victory to remember 😃👌
Captain @ImHarmanpreet lifts the Trophy 🏆 after a fantastic win in Mumbai 👏👏#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/KTMPos6mpI
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 24, 2023
India claimed the advantage from the outset, reducing Australia to 7-2 and restricting Australia to 219 with Pooja Vastrakar’s 4-53 the best figures. In reply, a collective effort saw India pass 400. Six batters made it to 40 but none made it to 80, with Mandhana (74) the top-scorer in both innings. A lead of close to 200 would prove decisive
India’s thumping victory came on the back of their 347-run win over England Women earlier this month.
