IND-W vs AUS-W: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma help India draw first blood in T20I series with one-sided win

The Indian women’s team started their 2023 T20I campaign on a positive note by dismantlingAustralia and securinga nine-wicket win in Mumbai on Friday (Jan 5). An inspired performancefrom Smriti Mandhana (54) and Shafali Verma (unbeaten 64) helped India overcome their disappointing 3-0 defeat in the ODI series. The win at the DY Patil Stadium sees India take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series as they set their sights on a series win against the Aussies.

India start on winning note

Needing to register a win after a poor show in the ODI series, India got off to a perfect start with the win. With 142 runs to chase,Shafali and Smriti stitched a partnership of 137 runs for the opening wicket which laid the foundation for the win. Shafali’s innings of 64 runs consisted of 6 fours and 3 sixes,while she was hittingat a strike rate of almost 150. On the other hand, her partner Smriti scored 54 off 52, whichconsisted 7 fours and a six. Jemimah Rodrigues remained unbeaten on 6 as India emerged victorious at the DY Patil Stadium.

Earlier, India restricted Australia to 141 and bowled them out in 19.2 overs with Phoebe Litchfield top-scoring with 49. Only three other batters got to double figures as India were the dominant force with the ball. Titas Sadhu scalped four wickets and ended with figures of 4/17in her four overs while Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma ended with two wickets each to break the opposition'sback.

The two nations will next meet on Sunday (Jan 7) in the second T20I as India search for a series win against the Aussies. The host earlier hadregistered a historic Test win against the Kangaroos but failed to replicate that form in the ODI series that ended on Jan 2.

However, a win in the T20I on Sunday will be the perfect dose for the side before the star players prepare for the Women’s Premier League.