Niki Prasad's 5-50 and Vaishnavi's 9-wicket haul seal India A's 281-run win
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
India A Women crushed Australia A Women by 281 runs on Day Three of the unofficial Women's Test at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on 1 October 2026, with batting all-rounder Niki Prasad and left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma producing match-winning performances across both innings. Chasing a near-impossible target of 446, Australia A were bowled out for 164 in 76 overs late in the final session.
Niki Prasad: The Match-Winner
Named Player of the Match, Niki Prasad was the standout performer across both disciplines. In the first innings she blazed a brilliant 91 with the bat and took 2-27 with the ball. In the second innings she tore through the Australian middle order to finish with 5-50, giving her match figures of 7-77. It was a rare all-round match display that tilted the contest decisively in India A's favour.
Vaishnavi Sharma's Dominant Spell
Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma was equally relentless. She had already claimed a six-wicket haul in Australia A's first innings, and returned with figures of 3-58 in the second to finish with a commanding match haul of 9-110. Her ability to extract turn and maintain pressure across both innings was central to India A's bowling plan.
India A's Second Innings Wobble
Resuming their second innings at 134/2 with an overall lead of 322 runs, India A suffered an unexpected collapse. Lilly Mills struck in quick succession, dismissing Tejal Hasabnis for a four-ball duck before removing Yastika Bhatia (46) and Tanisha Singh on consecutive deliveries. When Frankie Nicklin dismissed Niki, India A had slipped to 156/6. Anushka Sharma steadied the lower order with a vital 48, while Vaishnavi contributed a quickfire 24 off 14 balls, helping India A post a final total of 257. Mills finished with 5-88, the pick of the Australian bowlers.
Australia A's Chase Collapses
Australia A began their second innings with intent, as skipper Rachel Trenaman and Tahlia Wilson put on a 51-run opening stand. But Tahlia's run-out for 28 triggered a catastrophic collapse — the visitors lost five wickets for just five runs in 43 balls, crashing to 56/5. Courtney Webb, Charli Knott, and Anika Learoyd were all dismissed for ducks, while Rachel fell for 26. Niki then removed Sianna Ginger and Milly Illingworth to leave Australia A reeling at 80/8.
Flintoff's Resistance and India A's Triumph
Tess Flintoff provided spirited resistance with a fighting 58, adding 74 runs for the ninth wicket alongside Lily to delay the finish. However, the partnership was broken before Niki Prasad sealed the victory by dismissing Tess and completing her five-wicket haul. The 281-run margin reflects India A's comprehensive dominance over the three days in Mohali.
Brief Scores: India A Women 364 & 257 all out in 64.2 overs (Priya Punia 59, Lily Mills 5-88) beat Australia A Women 176 & 164 all out in 76 overs (Tess Flintoff 58, Niki Prasad 5-50) by 281 runs.