AUS-W VS IND-W, 3rd T20I: Mandhana, spinners help India win decider to claim series 2-1

Match Overview

Australia Women and India Women locked horns in the third T20I at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, February 21. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first.

India's brisk start was dealt a blow in the third over when Kim Garth struck to send back Shafali Verma for 7(6). Jemimah Rodrigues joined Smriti Mandhana and the duo did not relent at any stage. The pair took India to 54/1 at the end of the powerplay and carried forward the momentum. The Adelaide pitch is known for being batting-friendly and the left-right combination was proving to be difficult for the Australians to break apart.

Mandhana brought up her 33rd T20I fifty with a six in the 12th over as India were looking to post a huge total. The partnership was soon worth a 100 runs in 66 balls as Rodrigues too neared her half century. But, Mandhana in her quest to up the scoring rate, succumbed to Annabel Sutherland for an excellent 82(55) as India found themselves at 140/2 in the 17th over. 

Rodrigues, too, reached her fifty subsequently, her 15th in the format. But, the right-hander fell soon after for 59(46). Meanwhile, the lower order took India to 176/6 in their 20 overs.

The Australian top order provided their team with a quick start, but just like India, their opening partnership could not last long. In fact, the Indian bowlers scythed through it to leave the Women in Yellow at 32/3 in the fourth over itself. Notably, Ellyse Perry who was playing her 350th international match, was the third to go for a mere 1(3) which left the Aussies with a lot to do.

The home team had a couple of 30-odd-run partnerships subsequently, but it was not proving to be enough as the required rate reached 12 in the last four overs. Ashleigh Gardner was the lone warrior for the most part until now and the lower order, despite their best efforts, could not overcome India's target, falling short by 17 runs. For India, Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani were the standout bowlers picking up three wickets each.

India won the series 2-1, and significantly, it is India's second T20I series win in Australia with the first one coming in 2016 with the same margin.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the Match

Smriti Mandhana

Mandhana was at her usual best this evening. The 29-year-old started sedately but soon accelerated when Rodrigues joined her. The left-hander toyed with the bowlers and made full use of the good batting conditions. The vice-captain's knock ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides and helped India win the decider.

Turning Point

The second-wicket 121-run partnership off 82 balls between Mandhana and Rodrigues provided the team with immense impetus to dictate terms for the remainder of the match. Despite the hiccups towards the end of the first innings, India were still able to post a highly competitive total. The pressure of the 177-run target proved too much for the Australian batters and this stand is creditable for creating it.

What the captains said

Winning Team Captain, Harmanpreet Kaur (IND-W)

"It means a lot, I think it's a complete team effort. Everybody's so positive and really want to do for the team. So really good to see that everybody's coming up and contributing for the team. (On the Mandhana-Rodrigues partnership) Yeah, I think every partnership was very important for us. That's what we discussed in the team meetings, that we have to be there. we have to keep taking the responsibility, They both played a very big role. And really happy the way Smriti was batting, and good to see that Jami also contributed at the right time. (On the bowling plan) Well, the plans are very simple. I think whenever we take 10 wickets, we are always at a winning side. It was very clear that, a side like that, when you know you have so many batters, so it's only about taking wickets. It's not easy but I think the bowlers did a really great job for us."

Losing Team Captain, Sophie Molineux (AUS-W)

"We actually thought we kept them to a good score. It was a  pretty good wicket, we lost some pretty important wickets at the the wrong time. (On Perry's 350th match) It was a bit of a bugger, we couldn't get the result for her tonight, but yeah, she's a special person, special cricketer. She's done so much for the game, for our team, continues to, and here's to 350 more. (On the ODI series) I think Midge (Healy) is going to bring an injection of some real excitement, it's going to be her last four games for Australia, and we're going to do everything possible to send her off on the right note."