India Women secured a landmark 17-run victory over Australia in the series-deciding third T20I at the Adelaide Oval on February 21, clinching their first bilateral T20I series win in a decade on Australian soil in a decade.
The result was built on a commanding batting display led by Smriti Mandhana, whose 82 off 55 deliveries set the tone for India’s competitive total of 176/6 before the bowlers completed the job with a disciplined effort in defence.
With the three-match series locked at 1–1 heading into the decider, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat first on what appeared to be a slightly two-paced Adelaide surface. The early setback of Shafali Verma, who fell for 7 in the third over while attempting to clear the infield, brought Jemimah Rodrigues to the crease and triggered what would become the defining partnership of the innings.
Mandhana, who got off the mark with a boundary early in her innings, looked assured against both pace and spin. She shifted gears during the powerplay, taking on Sophie Molineux with a sequence of boundaries in the sixth over to keep India’s scoring rate in check despite the early wicket. Rodrigues, operating at the other end, complemented Mandhana with intelligent strike rotation and timely acceleration, ensuring the momentum remained with the visitors.
The pair added a crucial 121 runs for the second wicket off just 82 deliveries, steadily building India’s platform through the middle overs. Mandhana brought up her 33rd T20I half-century in 38 balls, reaching the milestone with a towering six off Darcie Brown. The left-hander’s innings featured eight fours and three sixes, combining fluent strokeplay with calculated aggression.
In the process, Mandhana also surpassed her own six-year-old record to register the highest individual score by an Indian batter in Australia in T20 internationals. Her previous best of 66, scored at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2020, was eclipsed as she continued to anchor the innings deep into the latter stages.
Rodrigues, meanwhile, contributed a vital 59 off 46 balls, displaying composure against Australia’s varied bowling attack. The right-hander’s ability to manoeuvre the field and capitalise on loose deliveries ensured India maintained a strong scoring rate heading into the final five overs.
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Mandhana appeared well on course for her second T20I century before being dismissed in the 17th over, caught at deep mid-wicket off Annabel Sutherland. The Australian all-rounder delivered an outstanding final over, conceding just three runs while picking up three wickets, which restricted India to 176/6 despite their dominant position at 127/1 after 15 overs.
Australia began their chase aggressively, scoring 18 runs off the first over from Renuka Singh Thakur. However, India responded swiftly with a cluster of wickets that turned the momentum in their favour. Shreyanka Patil removed Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry in quick succession, while Renuka struck to dismiss Beth Mooney, reducing Australia to 37/3 inside the powerplay.
Phoebe Litchfield and Ashleigh Gardner attempted to rebuild the innings with a steady partnership, but the mounting required run rate kept pressure on the hosts. Litchfield’s dismissal in the 10th over, while attempting a switch hit against Deepti Sharma, further dented Australia’s chances.
Gardner remained Australia’s primary hope, but wickets continued to fall at the other end. India’s spinners maintained tight lines through the middle overs, with Arundhati Reddy and Deepti Sharma applying sustained pressure. Jemimah Rodrigues’ sharp catch in the deep to dismiss Gardner in the 17th over effectively sealed the contest in India’s favour.
Sree Charani then delivered a decisive blow, removing Grace Harris and Sophie Molineux in the same over to extinguish any remaining resistance. Australia were eventually restricted to 159/9 in their 20 overs, with Shreyanka Patil and Sree Charani emerging as the standout performers with three wickets each.
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The victory not only secured the series 2–1 but also marked India’s first bilateral T20I series win in Australia since 2016. Mandhana’s record-breaking innings and the disciplined bowling effort underscored a collective performance that will serve as a significant confidence boost ahead of future assignments.
