Half centurions Mandhana, Ghosh, Rodrigues, and Sharma power IND-W to a 157-run lead against AUS-W

India started Day 2 trailing by 121 runs and having nine wickets in hand. Smriti Mandhana (43*) and Sneh Rana (4*) started the proceedings for India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in the one-off Test against Australia. Rana came to bat towards the fag end of Day 1 and survived to see the next morning. However, the 50-run partnership between Mandhana and Rana came to an end with Rana (9) perishing to Ashleigh Gardner. Mandhana (74) also didn’t last long after that as she was run out by the Kim Garth and Gardner duo. The opening batter, who scored her third Test half-century deserved a century but failed to achieve that.

After losing two quick wickets, India wanted a solid partnership, as they still trailed by 72 runs. Jemimah Rodrigues and debutant Richa Ghosh came together to stitch a valiant 113-run partnership for the fourth wicket, which was also the second highest partnership for India against Australia in women’s Tests. Both the batters reached their half-centuries and took their team to a commanding position. Ghosh (52) was dismissed by Garth, who picked her first wicket of the match.

Leading by 42, India still had good batting depth with the likes of captain Harmanpreet Kaur, wicket-keeper Yastika Bhatia, and all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar still to come. Gardner, who already had one wicket to her name, continued with her good work as she struck in her two consecutive overs. First, she got rid of Kaur (0) and then sent Bhatia (1) back to the pavilion. Both these batters were out leg before wicket. While the ball kept low for Kaur, Bhatia missed out on hitting a sweep.

Gardner’s fourth and the most important wicket was that of Rodrigues. The Mumbai batter was still there batting on 73 and looked good to get her maiden Test century. But when Gardner tossed one up to her, she could not resist and went for the drive. She could not keep the ball down and found Annabel Sutherland at covers.

The Ghosh-Rodrigues century stand was well-complimented by another 100-run partnership between Sharma and Vastrakar. The all-rounders further strengthened India’s position as they added another 102 runs for the eighth wicket. The left hand-right hand combination worked wonders for the hosts as the visitors failed to dismiss them.

India have taken a healthy lead of 157 runs as they completed Day 2 with 376/7. Sharma has scored her fourth Test half-century and is unbeaten on 70 while Vastrakar is undefeated on 33.