Vaishnavi, Prasad power India A women to 281-run win over Australia A

Brief Scores: India A Women 364 (Tanisha Singh 92, Lilly Mills 4-98) and 257 (Priya Punia 59, Lilly Mills 5-88) beat Australia A Women 176 (Rachel Trenaman 44, Vaishnavi Sharma 6-52) and 164 (Tess Flintoff 58, Niki Prasad 5-50) by 281 runs

India A Women defeated Australia A Women by 281 runs in the only unofficial Test at the I.S. Bindra Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali. The match, played from September 29 to October 2, was wrapped up inside three days as the hosts controlled proceedings with both bat and ball throughout.

Niki Prasad was named Player of the Match for her outstanding all-round contribution. She scored 91 runs in India A's first innings and then returned figures of 5-50 in Australia A's second innings. Vaishnavi Sharma was equally influential, finishing the match with nine wickets across both innings, split as 6-52 in the first innings and 3-58 in the second.

The Yastika Bhatia-led side posted 364 in their first innings, with Tanisha top-scoring on 92 and Prasad contributing 91. Lilly Mills was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking 4-98, while Knott claimed 3-82. Australia A were then bowled out for 176 in reply, with Trenaman making 44 and Wilson contributing 35. Vaishnavi was the chief destroyer with 6-52, while Prasad chipped in with 2-27 to hand India A a first-innings lead of 188 runs.

How did India A build their commanding second-innings lead?

India A declared their second innings on 257, with Punia top-scoring on 59 and Anushka Sharma contributing 48. Vaishnavi Sharma added a useful 24 runs lower down the order. Mills again impressed for Australia A, claiming 5-88 to finish the match with nine wickets overall across both innings, a tally that matched Vaishnavi's but came on the losing side.

Set a victory target of 446 runs, the Aussies were bowled out for 164 in their second innings. Flintoff top-scored with 58 and Trenaman made 26, but the rest of the batting offered little resistance. Prasad led the Indian attack with 5-50, while Vaishnavi added 3-58 to complete her nine-wicket match return.

How did Australia A's second innings collapse seal the result?

Australia A's second innings unravelled dramatically on the third day. After an opening stand of 51 runs, the visitors lost seven wickets for just 29 runs, effectively ending the contest well before the scheduled close. A total of 18 wickets fell on Day 3 alone, underlining the extent of India A's dominance on a surface that offered considerable assistance to both spinners and seamers.

The 281-run margin of victory reflected India A's control across all three departments of the game. Prasad's ability to score 91 with the bat and then take five wickets in the final innings made her the standout performer of the match. Vaishnavi's nine wickets across both innings ensured the visitors never established a foothold at any stage, and the result was sealed comfortably inside the allotted four days.