Adelaide, February 21 Riding on brilliant half-centuries from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and charismatic batter Jemimah Rodrigues, India scored a massive 176/6 against Australia in the decisive third and final Women's T20I here on Saturday.
India had a slightly challenging start as Shafali Verma was out early (7), continuing a disappointing run in the series that has seen her fall short of her potential.
However, Mandhana (82 off 55 balls; 8x4, 3x6) and Rodrigues (59 off 46 balls; 4x4) put together a 121-run partnership to guide India to a formidable total.
Attempting to clear a fuller delivery from pace bowler Kim Garth outside off stump, she went for a lofted shot straight down the ground but failed to get the desired distance. Annabel Sutherland comfortably caught the skier at mid-on in the third over, with India at 19/1.
Mandhana and Jemimah unleashed in the sixth over bowled by Sophie Molineux, collecting three boundaries in a 14-run burst that firmly put India back on track.
At the end of the Powerplay, India were 54/1.
Both Mandhana and Jemimah kept the scoreboard ticking, with Mandhana in particular in a punishing mood. She took on leg-spinner Georgia Wareham in the ninth over – Wareham’s first – executing a powerful sweep that bisected deep square leg and deep midwicket to perfection. At the halfway mark, India were 86/1.
Mandhana brought up her half-century in style, reaching the milestone off 38 balls with a six off pacer Darcie Brown in the 12th over.
India soon raced to the 100-run mark in just 71 balls.
