MUMBAI (Reuters) – India achieved their first triumph against Australia in a women’s test match on Sunday with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory in the one-off contest at Wankhede Stadium.
India’s significant first-innings lead of 187 placed them in a dominant position, and they only required 75 runs to secure the victory after bowling out Australia for 261 in the touring side’s second innings.
Despite losing opener Shafali Verma and number three batter Richa Ghosh, Smriti Mandhana anchored their chase with an unbeaten 38, ultimately sealing India’s memorable victory with a four shortly after the lunch break.
The India team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, had previously defeated England by 347 runs – the largest victory margin in women’s test cricket in terms of runs – in a one-off test in Navi Mumbai earlier this month.
“It’s the reward for all the hard work we have done for so many years,” Kaur stated after India’s first victory against Australia in 11 tests since the teams first clashed in the longest format in 1977.
“Hopefully after these two wins, we will get to play many more test matches in the upcoming years.”
Prior to India’s successful chase, the team claimed the last five Australia wickets for just 28 runs after the tourists had resumed their second innings on 233-5.
Seamer Pooja Vastrakar trapped Ash Gardner lbw before off-spinner Sneh Rana, who was chosen as the player of the match for her seven-wicket haul, dismissed Annabel Sutherland (27) and Alana King in successive deliveries.
Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad claimed the last two wickets to hasten Australia’s collapse.
“What an amazing experience to come over here and play test cricket,” Australia captain Alyssa Healy said.
“It’s not easy to win over here, we’ve found that out. We’d love to play a couple more (tests) to make it really interesting.”
The teams will now play three one-dayers and an equal number of T20 Internationals.
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by Jamie Freed)
