India Women achieved a historic series win against Australia by a thrilling 17-run margin in the third and final T20I at Adelaide Oval on February 21. This victory marks India’s first bilateral T20I series triumph on Australian soil in a decade, ending a long winless streak.
Key Performances and Match Highlights
India posted a competitive total of 142 for 6 in their 20 overs, prominently featuring Smriti Mandhana’s explosive and record-breaking innings of 82 runs. Her dynamic strokeplay and composed demeanor helped anchor the Indian batting effort, stunning the crowd and troubling the Australian bowlers throughout her time at the crease.
During Australia’s chase, they struggled to maintain the required run rate. Captain Meg Lanning scored 44, and batter Beth Mooney contributed 38, but the host team ultimately fell short, finishing at 125 for 8 in their allotted overs. India’s disciplined bowling attack, particularly leg-spinner Radha Yadav and medium pacer Shikha Pandey, executed their strategies flawlessly to limit Australia’s scoring opportunities.
Crucial Moments
- Mandhana reached her half-century in just 35 balls, energizing Indian supporters and fellow players.
- Australian fielders faced difficulty containing Mandhana’s aggressive batting, with numerous boundaries and sixes.
- Shikha Pandey delivered economical bowling figures, while Radha Yadav took key wickets to shift momentum decisively towards India.
Impact and Reactions
The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among players and fans, highlighting the team’s enhanced resilience and strategy. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur noted the importance of the win, stating, “Winning here after so many years is special. Smriti’s innings was outstanding; it set the platform for the entire team to perform.”
This series win significantly boosts India’s confidence ahead of upcoming international fixtures and signals their growing competitiveness in women’s cricket globally. Furthermore, this landmark success invigorates India’s ambitions to rise higher in the ICC Women’s T20 rankings.
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