India A Women completed a dominant 281-run victory over Australia A Women in the only unofficial multi-day match in Mohali, wrapping up the contest inside three days with an impressive all-round display.
After posting 364 in the first innings and 257 in the second, India A dismissed Australia A for 176 and 164 to seal a comprehensive win. Niki Prasad produced a match-winning performance with both bat and ball, earning the Player of the Match award after scoring valuable runs and finishing with seven wickets across the game.
India A Set Massive 446-Run Target
Resuming Day 3 on 134/2 with an overall lead of 322, India A looked set to build an even bigger advantage. However, Australia’s spin attack fought back strongly as the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals.
Captain Yastika Bhatia added 13 runs to her overnight score before departing for 46, while India A slumped to 188/7 after a middle-order collapse.
Anushka Sharma scored 32 off 57 balls to steady the innings, before Vaishnavi Sharma struck a quickfire 24 off just 14 balls to push the total to 257. The effort left Australia A needing an imposing 446 runs for victory.
Lilly Mills was once again Australia’s standout bowler, claiming 5/57 to finish with nine wickets in the match. Frankie Nicklin supported her with four wickets, while Charli Knott picked up one.
India Spinners Trigger Batting Collapse
Australia A made a promising start to the chase through openers Rachel Trenaman and Tahlia Wilson, who added 51 runs for the first wicket.
The momentum shifted after Wilson was run out for 28.
India A’s spinners immediately tightened their grip on the contest, reducing Australia A from 51/0 to 80/8 with a devastating collapse that effectively ended any hopes of an unlikely chase.
Niki Prasad led the attack brilliantly with her off-spin, while Vaishnavi Sharma and Shuchi Upadhyay provided excellent support.
Flintoff and Mills Delay the Inevitable
Despite the collapse, Tess Flintoff and Lilly Mills frustrated India A with a determined ninth-wicket partnership.
The pair added 74 runs, with Flintoff compiling a resilient 58 from 146 deliveries and Mills contributing 32 from 99 balls.
Their stand delayed India’s victory for more than 31 overs. Mills’ dismissal broke the 74-run stand, and Flintoff was the final wicket to fall as Australia A were bowled out for 164.
Niki Prasad Shines
Niki Prasad capped an outstanding match by finishing with figures of 5/50 in the second innings after taking 2/27 in the first.
Her match tally of seven wickets complemented an excellent 95-run contribution with the bat, making her the standout performer of the contest.
Vaishnavi Sharma continued her impressive match by claiming three wickets in the final innings, while Shuchi Upadhyay added one as India A completed a convincing victory.
Brief Scores
India A Women: 364 & 257
Australia A Women: 176 & 164
India A Women won by 281 runs.
