Image Credit- BCCI
In the one-off Test in Mumbai, India defeated eight
bowlers and batted 100 overs on a thrilling second day to lead Australia by 157
runs. India commanded the game when Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues,
debutant Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma struck determined fifties to lead the
hosts to a massive 376 for 7, from an overnight score of 98 for 1.
Australia struggled for wickets overall, but
offspinner Ashleigh Gardner’s precision and tireless bowling earned her four
wickets on a surface that kept low and rotated as the ball grew old.
Indian hitters demonstrated excellent technique and
temperament, which were supported by strong defence, despite their lack of Test
cricket experience. The hosts did had a brief collapse in the second session,
but they bounced back nicely to increase their lead in the last one.
Deepti and Pooja Vastrakar shared an uninterrupted
partnership of 102 for the eighth wicket, indicating that the batsmen’ survival
and tangible run-scoring were dependent on hanging on.
Mandhana, who started the first day undefeated at 43,
took her time in the morning to establish boundaries and exuded confidence,
turning her fifty into a significant score. She stitched 50 runs for the second
wicket with the nightwatch Sneh Rana. Rana irritated the bowlers with nine
deliveries out of forty-seven. When Gardner cleaned up Rana for the turn after
she missed a sweep, Australia made their first breakthrough. A mix-up between
Ghosh and Mandhana resulted in the latter losing her wicket for 74 four overs
later. Her 106-ball knock consisted of 12 fours.
Following Mandhana’s departure, India had two very
important partnerships—one lower down and one higher up. Ghosh, who is still a
rookie in ODIs and is thought of as a T20 specialist, left his mark with a
solid 52 off 104 deliveries. Rodrigues, playing her second Test, was on the
other end, making the most of her chance in whites. She entered the game at 147
for 3, scoring 73 runs off of nine boundaries in her 121 balls. With 113 runs
scored off of 187 deliveries, the two youthful hitters silenced Australia.
However, Australia briefly rallied after Ghosh was
dismissed by right-arm bowler Kim Garth while attempting to reach fifty runs.
Australia took fast wickets. Subsequently, Gardner claimed two more wickets;
she trapped Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia leg before wicket before
dismissing Rodrigues shortly before tea. India had a lead of 57 after the
second session but lost 4 for 14 in 8.5 overs to collapse to 276 for 7.
All-rounders Vastrakar and Deepti then added more
suffering in the last session by displaying exceptional game awareness. For the
first twenty overs, the pair batted cautiously and patiently, taking advantage
of the old ball that helped spinners. They discovered boundaries with good
technique when the new ball was taken and opportunities presented themselves.