India clinch first Women’s T20I series victory in Australia since 2016
Smriti Mandhana’s 82 and Jemimah Rodrigues’ 59 powered India to a 17-run win in the third Women’s T20I against Australia, securing a historic 2-1 series victory and their first bilateral T20I series triumph in Australia since 2016
Adelaide: An entertaining century partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues powered India to a 17-run win over Australia in the third and final Women’s T20I here on Saturday, sealing their first bilateral T20I series triumph against the formidable rivals in a decade.
Mandhana smashed 82 off 55 balls (8×4, 3×6), while Jemimah Rodrigues struck 59 off 46 deliveries as the two senior batters stitched a commanding 121-run stand to propel India to 176 for six after electing to bat.
India’s bowlers then seized control as young spinner Shreyanka Patil (3/22) and pace spearhead Renuka Singh (1/29) ripped through the top order to leave Australia reeling at 32 for 3.
The early strikes set the tone for a dominant display as India eventually restricted the hosts to 159 for 9 to seal a memorable T20I series 2-1 win, registering their first T20I series victory in Australia since 2016.
Young left-arm spinner Shree Charani (3/32) underlined her credentials, claiming three crucial wickets to play a key role in cementing India’s historic victory.
After electing to bat, India had a slightly tricky start as Shafali Verma (7) departed early. Mandhana and World Cup hero Rodrigues then took charge of the innings. The duo attacked in the sixth over bowled by left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux, collecting three boundaries in a 14-run burst that firmly put India back on track. At the end of the Powerplay, India were 54 for 1.
Both Mandhana and Jemimah kept the scoreboard moving, with the former in a particularly attacking mood. She took on leg-spinner Georgia Wareham in the ninth over, Wareham’s first, executing a powerful sweep that went between deep square leg and deep midwicket. India’s half-century came up in just 35 balls.
Mandhana brought up her half-century in style, reaching the milestone off 38 balls with a six off pacer Darcie Brown. She swung across the line and connected well on the second ball of the 12th over, sending it over the ropes. It was her 33rd fifty in international cricket, achieved in her 160th match.
The century stand for the second wicket came up in just 66 balls, laying a strong platform for a late surge. However, Mandhana fell in the 17th over, dismissed by Sutherland as she holed out to deep midwicket. Ashleigh Gardner completed a well-judged running catch to end the 121-run partnership.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur promoted Richa Ghosh to No 4, and the move paid off as the keeper-batter hit a brisk 18 off just seven balls.
India then put Australia under immediate pressure as openers Georgia Voll (10) and Beth Mooney (6) were dismissed early. Off-spinner Shreyanka struck in the second over to remove Voll, while pacer Renuka accounted for Mooney in the third.
Voll miscued a big top edge that went high in the air, and Renuka ran back from short fine leg to complete a good catch. Mooney whipped one towards deep square leg but found Charani perfectly placed, hitting it straight to the fielder.
Australia were in trouble when Ellyse Perry was clean bowled for 1 by Patil, leaving the hosts at 32 for 3 inside four overs.
Ashleigh Gardner (57 off 45 balls) mounted a strong fightback with a composed half-century, but her resistance ended when Arundhati Reddy struck in the 16th over to tilt the contest decisively in India’s favour.
