India record historic Test win against Australia

India created history when Smriti Mandhana lifted Jess Jonassen straight down the ground for a boundary as they registered their first ever win against Australia in Women's Tests at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday (December 24). The hosts chased down the target of 75 with eight wickets to spare on their way to a famous win.

Chasing 75 for a win, India lost Shafali Verma on the fourth ball of their innings with Kima Garth striking to remove the opener. Although Beth Mooney put down Richa Ghosh, India batters looked comfortable in the chase with Mandhana taking control.

The Indian vice-captain hit Garth for back-to-back fours and Ghosh picked up one boundary against the same bowler. A couple of byes also meant India went to lunch on 29 for 1 needing 46 runs to reach the target.

Post lunch, the duo hit couple of boundaries each to take India closer before Ghosh went for a slog and was perished. Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored her career-best 73 in the first innings, joined Mandhana at this moment and started her innings with drive through the off-side for four. 

A sweep from Rodrigues off Ashleigh Gardner got India closer and they were one shot away from victory with only six runs needed at that stage. In the next over, Mandhana danced down the track to hit it straight over the bowler's head to finish the match in style as India registered a famous win.

Earlier, after resuming the day's play with Australia leading by 46 runs with five wickets in hand, India bowled them out giving away only 28 more runs to set up the win. Sneh Rana was wrecker-in-chief with four wickets to her name.

With Australia needing to build on their lead to set India a competitive total to chase, the home side came out looking for wickets and Pooja Vastrakar struck in the second over of the day. Vastrakar trapped fellow allrounder in front of the wicket before Australia added any more runs to their total. India were upbeat after getting Gardner as they went for a review on the umpire's decision. 

A lot of close calls followed as Annabel Sutherland took Australia over the 250-run mark. India needed to get through Sutherland and Jonassen if they were to bowl out the visitors.

And Rana once again took it upon herself to give them the important wickets. She had Sutherland caught behind by Yastika Bhatia for 27 with India getting it right on DRS once again. On the next ball, the off spinner removed Alana King for a first ball duck as the batter jabbed a full delivery onto the ground and the ball then trickled over to the stumps.

From there, it was only matter of time even as Jonassen tried her best to hold fort. Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who didn't have the greatest of returns so far despite bowling well, struck twice to remove the last two wickets of Australia and they were bowled out for 261.

Brief Scores: Australia 1st innings 219/10 in 77.4 overs (Tahlia McGrath 50; Pooja Vastrakar 4/53) & 2nd innings 261/10 in 105.4 overs (Tahlia McGrath 73; Sneh Rana 4/63) India 1st innings 406/10 in 126.3 overs  (Deepti Sharma 78; Ashleigh Gardner 4/100) & 2nd innings 75/2 in 18.4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 38*) India won by 8 wickets POTM: Sneh Rana