Day 2 of the one-off test match between Australia and India took place at Mumbai’s historic Wankhede Stadium and featured an exciting battle. Resuming their innings, the Indian side showed tenacity and style, finishing the day with a total of 212/3 in 62 overs.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh, who together constituted a formidable batting tandem, were the main attraction. Richa’s bold shot selection and Jemimah’s graceful stroke play were crucial in putting India in a competitive position throughout the match. India’s deficit was significantly cut to just one run thanks to their combined efforts, demonstrating a valiant fight against the Australian bowling attack.
Earlier in the innings, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma made significant contributions to the top order. Mandhana showed resolve to amass 74 runs, and Verma played with offensive intent to contribute an instrumental 40 runs. But the loss of wickets, which included Mandhana and Sneh Rana, caused the Indian squad to suffer a brief setback.
India’s innings revolved around the vital partnership of Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh, who both displayed a combination of aggression and resiliency as batters. India played better overall because of their tactical approach and strong defence against the Australian spinners.
🎥 That moment when @JemiRodrigues brought up her 2nd successive Test FIFTY 👍 👍
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 22, 2023
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India finished their innings at 212/3, laying the groundwork for an exciting finish to the clash. Cricket fans are looking forward to more exciting moments as India looks to dominate the powerful Australian team in the upcoming sessions. With fresh opportunities and difficulties for both teams emerging with every session, the Test match promises to provide more exciting cricket action.
Following Mandhana’s departure, India had two very important partnerships—one lower-down and one middle-up. Ghosh, who is still fresh in ODIs and is thought of as a T20 specialist, left her mark with a solid 52 off 104 deliveries. She appeared leisurely, confidently protecting the appealing balls and putting away the erroneous deliveries.
Ellyse Perry’s 14-minute dip at mid-off also aided her. However, Ghosh appeared ready for her first fifty after that. She joined the select group of six players who, since 2021, have scored fifty in their debut. Rodrigues, engaging in her second Test, was on the other end, getting the most of her chance in whites. She joined the game at 147 for 3, scoring 73 runs off of nine boundaries in her 121 balls.
… and that's 5⃣0⃣ for Richa Ghosh! 👏 👏
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 22, 2023
What a way to start her Test career! 🙌 🙌
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With 113 runs scored off of 187 deliveries, the two naive batters silenced Australia.
No other bowler bowled such tight lines and tormented the hitters like Gardner. Alyssa Healy, on her first trip as the full-time captain of Australia, tried practically every bowler in pursuit of a wicket, including left-arm spin, offspin, leg spin, left-arm pace, and right-arm pace.
However, Australia briefly rallied after Ghosh was dismissed by right-arm bowler Kim Garth while attempting to reach fifty runs. Australia took fast wickets. Subsequently, Gardner claimed two more wickets; she trapped Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia leg before wicket before dismissing Rodrigues shortly before tea. India had a lead of 57 after the second session but lost 4 for 14 in 8.5 overs to collapse to 276 for 7.
All-rounders Vastrakar and Deepti then added additional discomfort in the last session by displaying exceptional game awareness. For the first twenty overs, the pair batted cautiously and patiently, taking advantage of the old ball that helped spinners. They used good skill to find limits when the fresh ball was taken, and opportunities presented themselves.
Another excellent day on the field! 👏
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 22, 2023
Deepti Sharma (70*) & Pooja Vastrakar (33*) take #TeamIndia to 376-7, with a first innings lead of 157 runs at the end of Day 2 💪
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Additionally, Deepti appeared more at ease sprinting down the track towards spinners as the new ball entered the scene. At seventy, she managed to stay undefeated by keeping the scoreboard moving. This meant that, after Denise Emerson of Australia, she was the second woman to score fifty or above in each of their first four Tests.
Playing second fiddle, Vastrakar was mainly happy to accept singles during her 115-ball knock. In the penultimate over of the day, 232 balls brought up the century-run stand.
Brief scores: India vs Australia Only Test Day 2
India 376/7 (Smriti Mandhana 74, Jemimah Rodrigues 73, Deepti Sharma 70*; Ashleigh Gardner 4-100) lead Australia 219 by 157 runs.
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