In a historic cricket match, India’s women’s team achieved their first-ever Test win over Australia, concluding the game with an eight-wicket victory. This monumental achievement was highlighted by Smriti Mandhana’s match-winning strike, leading India to a comfortable chase of the 75-run target in under 19 overs.
Australia, facing an uphill battle from the onset of the final day, struggled to gain momentum. India had previously established a commanding lead, amassing 406 runs in their first innings, the highest they’ve ever scored against Australia. The Australian team’s second innings failed to ignite, unable to recover from this substantial deficit.
The collapse of Australia’s batting order was evident, with five wickets falling for just 28 runs at the start of the fourth day. Key players like Ash Gardner and Annabel Sutherland were quickly dismissed, despite initial hopes of a comeback. Indian bowlers, especially Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana, played crucial roles in dismantling the Australian lineup, with Rana nearly achieving a hat-trick.
India’s run chase commenced with aggressiveness, marked by Shafali Verma’s boundary off the first ball. Despite losing Verma early, steady contributions from Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Jemimah Rodrigues ensured a smooth path to victory.
This match not only signifies a landmark win for India but also underscores the growing competitiveness and skill in women’s cricket on the international stage.
