In India women’s ongoing historic day-night Test match against Australia, opener Smriti Mandhana made the occasion all the more joyous for the Indian fans as she brought up her maiden Test match hundred. Her achievement also made her the first batter from the country to score a ton in the day-night pink-ball Test.
While the Aussies had won the toss and elected to bowl, hoping to take a few early wickets and exert pressure on the Indian side. Madhana, who reached her hundred off the 170th delivery of her innings, along with Shafali Verma put on 93 runs for the first wicket. Post which, she got support from Punam Raut, who has been cautious not to throw her wicket while also supporting Mandhana at the other end.
Check out video of Mandhana’s celebration post reaching her landmark hundred:
💯 to Smriti Mandhana!
A brilliant century coming off 170 deliveries, with 18 fours and one six #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NiVLlgQ4UQ
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) October 1, 2021
So far in her knock, the southpaw has scored 21 fours and 1 six as she completely dominated the Aussie bowlers at Carrara. On the other hand, Verma too was looking good before she eventually fell to Sophie Molineux for 31. As a result of the start that the India batters have provided, the team find itself in a solid position in the four-match affair.
Earlier, the Australia Women bagged the three-match ODI series by 2 games to 1. However, the visiting India team would also be pleased with their performance in the 50-overs format given that they were close to winning the second game when a decisive no-ball call for waist height full toss, that could have gone either way, went in favour of the home team.
#Milestone🚨
✅First women's cricketer to score Pink Ball Test 100
✅First Indian Opener to Score both ODI & Test 100 in Aus (Men/Women)
✅1st Indian woman to score a century in AusCongratulations @mandhana_smriti 👏#AUSvIND #SmritiMandhana #Cricket #PinkBallTest #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/Ffny4K24Ov
— SportsTiger (@sportstigerapp) October 1, 2021
However, the Indian eves found a way back from that heartbreak and registered a win in the final ODI to end the Meg Lanning-led side’s unbeaten 26 match-winning streak in ODIs. Veteran India cricketer Jhulan Goswami, who was responsible for that no-ball in the final over of the 2nd ODI, in a moment of poetic justice, finished the chase for India in the 20th over to complete a memorable India win in the final ODI by 2 wickets.