Harmanpreet Kaur's Late Heroics Propel India Women to Commanding Position against Australia in Test

हरमनप्रीत कौर की दिवंगत वीरता ने भारतीय महिलाओं को टेस्ट में ऑस्ट्रेलिया के खिलाफ मजबूत स्थिति में पहुंचाया

In a gripping turn of events on the third day, Harmanpreet Kaur's exceptional performance tilted the scales in favor of the Indian women's cricket team against Australia in the one-off Test match at Wankhede Stadium. At the close of play on Day 3, India managed to maintain their dominance after restricting Australia to 233/5 in their second innings, securing a slender 46-run lead.

Australia initially gained control with Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield's 49-run partnership for the first wicket in the second innings. However, swift dismissals by Richa Ghosh and Sneh Rana before lunch put India in a commanding position

During the second session, Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath's formidable partnership added 84 runs for the third wicket, challenging India's dominance. McGrath reached her highest Test score of 73 while Perry contributed 45. But India's Harmanpreet Kaur intervened late in the day, dismissing both McGrath and Perry, thereby tilting the momentum back in India's favor.

McGrath's valiant innings, complemented by Alyssa Healy's 32 runs, provided some resilience, yet Harmanpreet's crucial breakthroughs limited Australia to 233/5 at stumps on Day 3.

India's batting collapse in the morning session, ending at 406 runs, saw Deepti Sharma as the top scorer with 78 runs, while Australia's Ashleigh Gardner took four wickets.

The match poised delicately now lies in India's favor with Australia trailing by 46 runs with five wickets in hand as they aim to avert India's quest for their maiden Test win against them.

Playing XI:

India Women:Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Thakur Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

Australia Women:Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Kim Garth, Lauren Cheatle.