Ind W vs Aus W: Smriti, Shafali 50s & Titas' 4 Fer Helps India Seal 9 Wicket Win

In the first T20I of a three-match series at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on Friday, Indian Women defeated Australia Women by a nine-wicket margin. Opening batters Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma both posted half centuries, together scoring 137 runs for the first wicket. This victory resulted in a leading start for India in the series, after successfully bowling Australia out for 141 within 19.2 overs. Standouts included young pacer Titas Sadhu's four wicket haul as well as spinners Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma, who took two wickets each.

After winning the toss, hosts India chose to field first, thereby restricting Australia Women, the current T20 World Cup holders, to a modest 141. Mandhana and Verma then gave an impressive chase, with 54 runs from 52 balls and a notable 44-ball 64, respectively. Their partnership helped India reach a total of 145/1 in just 17.4 overs, securing the win with 14 balls remaining. Sadhu's 4/17, coupled with Patil's 2/19 and Sharma's 2/24, further crippled Australia's efforts, leading to their loss of four wickets for just six runs in the final overs.

Australia's start was less than ideal, with opener Beth Mooney caught by Captain Harmanpreet Kaur off Sadhu, and Captain Alyssa Healy also being caught in slips off Renuka Singh, resulting in a slump to 32/2 in the fifth over. Australia's collapse continued, ending at 141 after the loss of their last six wickets for 29 runs.

Meanwhile, India's openers Mandhana and Verma put on a further century partnership. Mandhana's 54 from 52 included seven boundaries and one six, while Verma's 44-ball innings added another half century to the team's score. The pair rapidly advanced to the 100-run mark in the 12th over, raising India's total to 137 before Mandhana was caught by McGrath. Victory was then sealed by Jemimah Rodrigues with a four off Wareham when only five runs were required.