The India women’s multi-format series versus Australia began on December 21 with a single Test match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first to start the match. That being said, the Indian bowling attack produced another outstanding showing. The innings became worse when Pooja Vastrakar dismissed star batsman Ellyse Perry for just four runs in the next over after Vastrakar’s pace had tricked the opener, Phoebe Litchfield, into running out for a duck.
What a delivery from Pooja Vastrakar.pic.twitter.com/UdxME27VHG
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 21, 2023
Following the first two wickets, Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath counterattacked, hitting 40 and 50 runs, respectively, and captain Alyssa Healy put 38 runs on the board before being removed.
After only 16, 11, and 19 runs, respectively, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, and Jess Jonassen were eliminated from the game. The Indian bowling attack did a commendable job of limiting the first-inning total that the visitors were able to reach.
In addition to Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma, who both continued their outstanding form by taking three and two wickets, respectively, to help bowl out the Australians for 219 in the first innings, Pooja Vastrakar was the highest wicket-taker with four.
In order to maximize their lead on Day 1 and the following day, India will be eager to replicate a similar showing at the bat, putting a massive total on the board.
It will be intriguing to see how the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team performs against the Australians in the coming days. They will be full of confidence after their outstanding victory over the England women in the sole Test match earlier this month.
India
