India registered their first ever win against Australia in the history of women’s Test cricket as Harmanpreet Kaur and Co won by eight wickets on Sunday in Mumbai. In the previous ten official Test matches extending up to 1977, India had lost four and drawn six to Australia. This match against Alyssa Healy and Co. was the first women’s Test between the two teams in India since 1984.
With this win, India completed a memorable comeback as they were playing Test matches at home for the first time since 2014. It is worth noting that apart from this back-to-back win over Australia, India also registered the biggest win in the history of women’s cricket (by a run-off margin when completed fourth innings) as they defeated England’s Heather Knight last week in Navi Mumbai at the DY Patel Stadium.
After not playing Test cricket for seven years since 2014, the Indian women’s cricket team is now unbeaten in England and Australia (two draws), and at home as well (two wins) in the last two years.
India lost the toss and saw Australia bat first at the Wankhede Stadium, but the bowlers rallied on the opening day led by Pooja Vastrakar to bowl out the visitors for 219. India then went on to post successive 400-plus first innings totals in the last two matches, reaching 406 to take an easy lead into the first innings . Australia put up an improved batting effort in the second innings but a late response in the final session of the third day and a strong show on the fourth day by the Indian spinners restricted them to 261.
Setting a target of 75 to create a slice of history, India lost the wickets of Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh but Smriti Mandhana and Jemima Rodriguez crossed the finish line.
In the space of two Test matches, India’s new players have performed well, with Rodriguez scoring two half-centuries in two matches. In the Test against England, it was an all-round display by Deepti Sharma as she picked up 9 wickets in the match.
India next play three ODIs and three T20Is against Alyssa Healy & Co in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai respectively.
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First published on: 12-24-2023 at 1:10 PM IST