India Women 376 for 7 (Mandhana 74*, Rodrigues 73, Deepti 70*, Ghosh 52, Gardner 4-100) lead Australia Women 219 by 157 runs
Indian batters showed great technique and temperament. They suffered a mini-collapse, but recovered well to extend the lead.
Deepti and Pooja Vastrakar’s 102-run partnership for the eighth wicket showcased the ability of batters to thrive and score runs in tangible terms.
Mandhana, with an unbeaten 74, converted her fifty to a big score. She contributed to a 50-run partnership with Sneh Rana, who frustrated the bowlers with her nine off 47 deliveries. Rana was eventually dismissed by Gardner. Mandhana was then involved in a mix-up with Ghosh, ending her innings on 74. Her 106-ball knock included 12 fours.
Ghosh, a T20 specialist, silenced her critics with a well-made 52 off 104 deliveries. She played with confidence and composure, supported by Ellyse Perry’s dropped catch at mid-off when she was on 14. Ghosh became one of six players to score a fifty on Test debut since 2021.
Meanwhile, Rodrigues, in her second Test, contributed 73 runs, hitting nine boundaries in her 121-ball stay.
The two young batters played 187 deliveries to put on 113 runs, blunting Australia’s attack.
Alyssa Healy tried various bowlers to find a wicket but none were as effective as Gardner, who bowled 41 overs overall and took a wicket every time she bowled.
After a brief fightback from Australia, Vastrakar and Deepti batted cautiously before capitalizing on opportunities in the final session.
Deepti remained unbeaten on 70, showcasing extraordinary game awareness. Vastrakar played second fiddle and contributed to the 100-run partnership in the penultimate over of the day.
Srinidhi Ramanujam is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo
