Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma and batting all-rounder Niki Prasad delivered outstanding performances, helping India A secure a commanding 281-run win over Australia A on Day Three of the unofficial Test at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Thursday.
In the final session, Australia A were all out for 164 in 76 overs while chasing an unlikely target of 446. Niki, Player of the Match, was the standout bowler in the second innings, taking 5 wickets for 50 runs. Her five-wicket performance matched her strong first-innings efforts, in which she scored an impressive 91 and took 2 for 27, bringing her match totals to 7 for 77.
Niki Prasad was awarded Player of the Match for her exceptional all-round performance. She scored 91 runs in India A’s first innings and then took 5 wickets for 50 runs in Australia A’s second innings. Vaishnavi Sharma was equally impactful, taking nine wickets across both innings: six for 52 in the first and three for 58 in the second.
Led by Yastika Bhatia, the team scored 364 in their first innings, with Tanisha scoring the highest at 92 and Prasad adding 91. Lilly Mills was Australia’s top bowler, with figures of 4 for 98, while Knott took 3 for 82. Australia A replied with a score of 176, falling to the bat, as Trenaman scored 44 and Wilson added 35. Vaishnavi was India A’s leading wicket-taker with 6 for 52, and Prasad added 2 for 27, giving India A an 188-run first-innings advantage.
The visitors lost five wickets for only five runs over 43 balls, falling to 56/5. Courtney Webb, Charli Knott, and Anika Learoyd all got out to ducks, while Rachel was dismissed for 26. Niki then shattered the middle order, dismissing Sianna Ginger and Milly Illingworth, leaving Australia A reeling at 80 for eight. Tess Flintoff ( 58) and Lily put up a spirited fight, adding 74 runs for the ninth wicket in an effort to postpone the inevitable. But shattered the partnership by removing Lily before Prasad clinched the win by dismissing Tess to finish with her five-wicket haul.
