Niki Prasad's 5-50 and Vaishnavi's 9-wicket haul seal India A's 281-run win

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Niki Prasad's 5-50 and Vaishnavi's 9-wicket haul seal India A's 281-run win

Synopsis

Niki Prasad's 91 with the bat and 7-77 with the ball, combined with Vaishnavi Sharma's 9-110 across both innings, delivered India A a dominant 281-run win over Australia A at Mohali — a statement performance from two emerging stars ahead of the senior women's Test calendar.

Key Takeaways

India A Women beat Australia A Women by 281 runs at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali on 1 October 2026 .
Niki Prasad was named Player of the Match with match figures of 7-77 and a first-innings score of 91 .
Vaishnavi Sharma took 9-110 across both innings, including a six-wicket haul in the first innings.
Australia A collapsed from 51/0 to 56/5 , losing five wickets for five runs in 43 balls during the run-chase.
Tess Flintoff top-scored for Australia A in the second innings with 58 , but could not prevent the defeat.
Lilly Mills took 5-88 in India A's second innings, the pick of the Australian bowlers.

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.

Point of View

With three of their batters falling for ducks, points to fragility under pressure that their A-team will need to address before it becomes a senior-level vulnerability.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the result of the India A vs Australia A women's unofficial Test in Mohali?
India A Women beat Australia A Women by 281 runs on Day Three of the unofficial Test at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on 1 October 2026. Chasing a target of 446, Australia A were bowled out for 164.
What did Niki Prasad achieve in the unofficial Test?
Niki Prasad was named Player of the Match after scoring 91 in the first innings and taking 5-50 in the second, finishing with match figures of 7-77. She also took 2-27 in the first innings, combining bat and ball to deliver one of the standout all-round displays of the match.
How did Vaishnavi Sharma perform in the match?
Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma took a six-wicket haul in Australia A's first innings and followed it up with 3-58 in the second, ending the match with a dominant haul of 9-110 across both innings.
How did Australia A's second-innings batting collapse unfold?
Australia A started solidly with a 51-run opening stand, but Tahlia Wilson's run-out for 28 triggered a collapse in which five wickets fell for just five runs in 43 balls, leaving them at 56/5. Courtney Webb, Charli Knott, and Anika Learoyd all fell for ducks before Tess Flintoff offered late resistance with 58.
What were the full scorecard details of the match?
India A Women scored 364 in their first innings and 257 all out in 64.2 overs (Priya Punia 59, Lily Mills 5-88). Australia A Women scored 176 in the first innings and 164 all out in 76 overs (Tess Flintoff 58, Niki Prasad 5-50). India A won by 281 runs.
Nation Press
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