IND-W vs AUS-W, Only Test, Day 1 Review: Bowlers, openers help India claim day's honours

The multi-format series between India women and Australia women kicked off with a solitary Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on December 21. After winning the toss, Australia captain Alyssa Healy opted to bat first. Pooja Vastrakar, instrumental in India's recent record win over England, was crucial for the side this time too. The fast-bowling all-rounder displayed masterclass swing and achieved a career-best 4/53 as Australia were bowled out for 219 in the first innings.

In response, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma formed a solid opening partnership, adding 90 runs for the first wicket in just 16.4 overs. Although Shafali fell for 40, India comfortably dominated after Day 1, finishing at 98 for 1 in 19 overs, trailingby 121 runs, with Mandhana (43*) and Sneh Rana (4*) at the crease.

Australia's innings began poorly as Phoebe Litchfield was run out for a golden duck in the first over. Vastrakar continued her impressive performance, claiming two wickets in the first and second sessions. Elyse Perry's stumps were rattled by an inswinging delivery, reducing Australia to 7 for 2. The length ball by Vastrakar jagged back in and went all the way through to castle off the middle stump.

Opting for a counter-attacking approach, Tahlia McGrath swiftly notched up fifty off a mere 52 deliveries. However, her innings was cut short when Sneh Rana claimed her first wicket. In the following delivery, Vastrakar delivered a short-pitched ball outside off, prompting opener Beth Mooney to attempt a backfoot cut. But she only managed to glove it to Rana in the slips,, putting Australia at 103/4.

Post the lunch, Aussie captain Healy and Annabel Sutherland accumulated 40 runs off 96 balls. However, Deepti Sharma changed to around the wicket, prompting Healy to attempt a sweep but only to miss the ball and her stumps disturbed. Subsequently, Vastrakar concluded Sutherland's resilient innings with a nip-backer that trapped her plumb in front of the stumps. In the very next over, she dismissed Ashleigh Gardner on the first delivery, by bowling a length ball outside off to pick her fourth wicket, leaving Australia at 160/7.

The score quickly deteriorated to 168 for 8 when Rana, aided by the DRS, had Alana King caught behind. Jess Jonassen and Kim Garth then steered Australia to 180 for 8 before the tea break. However, the duo managed to contribute only 30 runs from 93 balls. Deepti secured her second wicket, dismissing Jonassen through another successful DRS overturn. Garth and debutant Lauren Cheatle combined for a 21-run partnership for the last wicket before Rana got her third victim, concluding Australia's innings in 77.4 overs.