Australia might have overlooked a strategic move by delaying the introduction of spin earlier in the game. Only time will tell if this decision proves critical.
The pitch, fortunately, doesn’t pose any significant challenges. Both spinners and pacers, when maintaining the right line and length, managed to exploit the conditions, prompting errors from the batsmen. Some edges were dropped, and a few LBW decisions were reversed.
Despite these occurrences, scoring runs didn’t prove overly difficult. The predominant shot was the drive, with fewer cuts and not many boundaries directly down the ground. Despite losing the toss, India will be satisfied with their performance, and they now have the task of erasing a 121-run deficit before establishing a lead.
Earlier, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. India’s women’s team continued to ride high on confidence as they dominated the second session, pushing Australia to fall to 219 on Day 1 of the one-off Test on Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
At the end of the second session, Australia posted a total of 180/8 in 60 overs, with Jess Jonassen and Kim Garth unbeaten with scores of 6 (23) and 8(16) respectively.
Before the umpires called for tea, a bit of bizarreness occurred on the field as first umpire N Janani hinted that it was time for tea, but umpire Anil Kumar Chaudhary got across and took his position. Hence, players thought one more over was about to be bowled, but bails were removed and the session ended.
India coach Amol Muzumdar was pleased as he applauded his players when they made their way back to the dressing room.
Pooja Vastrakar’s pace once again did the trick, as a bit of de ja vu was on the cards in the second session. Once again four wickets fell down, pacer Pooja struck twice once again, and Sneh Rana walked away with a single wicket.
Skipper Alyssa Healy and Annabel Sutherland stitched up a small partnership, but once that partnership ended, wickets continued to fall, putting Australia in a tough spot on the opening day.
