India A’s women produced a commanding display in Mohali, sealing the unofficial Test against Australia A by 281 runs. Two names stood out above everyone else: left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma and all-rounder Niki Prasad.
Vaishnavi finished with nine scalps across the contest. After claiming six in the opening innings, she added three more for 58 in the second. Prasad, meanwhile, earned the Player of the Match honour. She contributed 91 with the bat and 2 for 27 in the first innings, then returned a superb 5 for 50 when Australia A batted again.
The hosts began the third morning at 134 for 2, already holding a lead of 322. A rocky spell followed. Tejal Hasabnis departed for a four-ball duck, bowled by Lilly Mills, who then accounted for Yastika Bhatia (46) and Tanisha Singh in consecutive deliveries. Frankie Nicklin dismissed Prasad, leaving India A wobbling at 156 for 6. Anushka Sharma steadied matters with a determined 48, and Vaishnavi chipped in with a rapid 24 from 14 deliveries, pushing the total to 257.
Chasing 446 was always a long shot, yet skipper Rachel Trenaman and Tahlia Wilson gave the visitors a promising launch, putting together 51 for the first wicket. A run out ended Wilson’s stay on 28, and everything unravelled from there. Courtney Webb, Charli Knott and Anika Learoyd each failed to score, and Trenaman was dismissed for 26. Australia A tumbled from 51 without loss to 56 for 5 within just 7.1 overs.
Prasad then removed Sianna Ginger and Milly Illingworth in quick succession, leaving the tourists reeling at 80 for 8. Tess Flintoff and Mills offered some resistance with a 74-run partnership for the ninth wicket, but the delay proved brief. Vaishnavi bowled Mills for her third wicket of the innings, and Prasad ended the contest by dismissing Flintoff for 58. Australia A were all out for 164 in 76 overs, late on day three.
It was a thoroughly complete team effort from India A.
