Mohali, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma and batting all-rounder Niki Prasad delivered outstanding performances as India A defeated Australia A by 281 runs in the women’s unofficial Test at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Thursday.
Chasing a daunting target of 446, Australia A were bowled out for 164 in 76 overs late in the final session on Day Three.
Player of the Match Niki was the standout performer with the ball in the second innings, claiming five wickets for 50 runs. Her match-winning effort complemented her first-innings contribution of 91 runs with the bat and two wickets for 27 runs, giving her match figures of 7-77.
Vaishnavi also produced a dominant performance, following up her six-wicket haul in the first innings with three wickets for 58 runs in the second. She finished the match with an impressive haul of nine wickets for 110 runs.
India A resumed their second innings at 134/2, with an overall lead of 322 runs, but suffered an early batting collapse. Lilly Mills struck in quick succession, dismissing Tejal Hasabnis for a four-ball duck before removing Yastika Bhatia, who scored 46, and Tanisha Singh on consecutive deliveries.
Frankie Nicklin then dismissed Niki, leaving India A struggling at 156/6.
Anushka Sharma steadied the innings with a valuable 48, while Vaishnavi provided a quickfire contribution of 24 off just 14 balls to help India A reach 257 all out.
Australia A began their steep chase positively, with captain Rachel Trenaman and Tahlia Wilson putting together an opening partnership of 51 runs. However, Tahlia’s run-out for 28 triggered a dramatic collapse.
The visitors lost five wickets for just five runs in 43 balls, slumping to 56/5. Courtney Webb, Charli Knott and Anika Learoyd were all dismissed for ducks, while Rachel fell for 26.
Niki then struck twice in the middle order, dismissing Sianna Ginger and Milly Illingworth to leave Australia A reeling at 80/8.
Tess Flintoff, who scored 58, and Lily offered some resistance with a 74-run partnership for the ninth wicket, delaying the inevitable. The stand was eventually broken with Lily’s dismissal, before Niki removed Tess to complete her five-wicket haul and seal a comprehensive victory for India A.
Brief Scores:
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India A Women: 364 and 257 all out in 64.2 overs (Priya Punia 59; Lilly Mills 5-88)
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Australia A Women: 176 and 164 all out in 76 overs (Tess Flintoff 58; Niki Prasad 5-50)
Result: India A Women won by 281 runs.
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