What a day for cricket in Mumbai! India’s women have done it again. Just when we thought they’d peaked with that win against England, they pull off a stunner against the Aussies, wrapping up the game with a cool eight-wicket win on the home ground at Wankhede.
It was the fourth day, and the stands were buzzing only 75 runs to win, and the girls were on fire. Sure, we had a bit of a hiccup when Shafali and Richa had to head back to the pavilion sooner than we’d have liked. But then came Smriti Mandhana, calm as you like, knocking the ball around for an unbeaten 38, and young Jemimah Rodrigues chipping in with a handy 12 not out.
The Foundation of the Win
From the start, India’s women had the upper hand. Here’s a breakdown of how they laid the groundwork for this victory:
- First Innings Lead: India established a 187-run lead, a solid foundation for the match.
- Bowling Excellence: The Australian team was bowled out for 219, thanks to a disciplined Indian attack.
- Batting Showcase: A commanding total of 406 all out was set by India, with half-centuries raining from the bats of the Indian women.
- Aussie Resilience: Australia fought back with 261 in their second innings, highlighted by McGrath’s 73.
Let’s rewind a bit because this win has been brewing since day one. We bowled out the Aussies for 219 and then bam! our women answered with a mighty 406 all-out. Half-centuries were flying around, the batters were just showing off at this point.
Australia’s Second Innings Woes
The Australians weren’t giving up without a fight, though. They put up 261 in the second dig with Tahlia McGrath fighting hard for her 73. But then our spin wizard Sneh Rana turned the screws 4 for 63, can you believe it? And just like that, Australia’s last five wickets fell down like dominoes for just 28 runs.
Let’s talk about Sneh Rana for a second. What a match she’s had! Bags 3-56 in the first innings and then comes back to haunt the Aussies again. No wonder she was the player of the match.
And captain Harmanpreet Kaur, she’s something else, isn’t she? After smashing records against England, she’s got her eyes set on bigger things.
More Test matches.
She says, and who would argue with that?
Even Alyssa Healy, the Aussie skipper, had to tip her hat to the experience in Mumbai. It’s tough to win on Indian soil, she admitted. And you can bet they’re itching for a rematch.
But there’s no rest for our champions. Next up, we’ve got the ODIs and T20s starting on the 28th. The first ODI is in Mumbai, and if it’s anything like this Test, we’re in for a treat.
The Future of Indian Women’s Cricket
These recent victories over England and Australia represent more than mere wins, they herald the dawn of a promising era ahead. The skill and resolve demonstrated by the Indian women’s cricket team suggest an ascent to new heights. As they gear up for the ODIs and T20 matches, let’s rally behind them at every turn. It’s a time for celebration, for cheering on future successes. We stand on the cusp of history with every game they play, eager to witness our cricketing heroes reach for the stars.
