India-W win T20 series by 2-1 after a 17-run victory against Australia, courtesy to Smriti-Jemi partnership

India Women tour of Australia concluded in thrilling fashion as India Women sealed the three-match T20I series 2-1 with a 17-run win over Australia women's national cricket team in the third T20I at Adelaide Oval on February 21.

Opting to bat first, India Women posted 176/6 in 20 overs, riding on a record-breaking 121-run partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues. The stand is now India Women’s highest for the second wicket in Women’s T20Is, surpassing the previous record of 98 set by Mithali Raj and Punam Raut.

Mandhana led from the front with a fluent 82 off 55 balls, striking eight fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 149.09. Rodrigues complemented her perfectly with a composed 59 off 46 deliveries. The duo stitched their partnership after Shafali Verma fell early for 7, steadying the innings and accelerating in the middle overs.

India reached 140 by the 16th over before Mandhana fell to Annabel Sutherland. A late cameo from Richa Ghosh (18 off 7) powered India to a competitive total. For Australia, Sutherland (2/34) and Kim Garth (1/25) were among the wickets.

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Bowlers defend 176 as India clinch series

Chasing 177, Australia Women were rocked early by disciplined Indian bowling. Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney departed inside three overs, while Ellyse Perry fell cheaply, reducing the hosts to 32/3.

Ashleigh Gardner fought back with a resilient 57 off 45 balls, registering her half-century in 42 deliveries. However, India’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Shreyanka Patil starred with figures of 3/22, while Shree Charani also picked up 3/32. Arundhati Reddy chipped in with two crucial wickets.

Australia were 143/9 in the 18th over before a late 16-run last-wicket stand between Darcie Brown and Kim Garth gave them brief hope. Notably, their partnership became Australia Women’s highest for the 10th wicket in WT20Is, breaking the previous record of 11 set by Sarah Andrews and Emma Sampson.

Despite the late resistance, Australia finished at 159/9 in 20 overs, falling short by 17 runs. Mandhana was adjudged Player of the Match for her match-winning knock as India Women sealed the series 2-1 in dominant fashion.