1st T20: Smriti Mandhana hits 72 as India A women beat Australia A women by 4 wickets

India A women took 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series at they beat Australia A women by four wickets at the Bandra-Kurla Complex ground in Mumbai on Monday.

Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana scored 72 off 40 balls as Indian women chased down the target of 161 runs in 19 overs. 

After ppting to bat, Australia opener Tahlia McGrath continued her rich vein of form scoring a 23-ball 31 to lay the foundation for the visitors. Naomi Stalenberg (39) and captain Heather Graham (43) took Australia to 160/6 at the end of 20 overs. 

For India A, Sharma and Anuja Patil picked two wickets each.

In reply, India A lost opener Jemimah Rodrigues for four in the first over. Wicketkeeper-batswoman Taniya Bhatia also got out for a duck in the next delivery.

Mandhana and Kaur then stitched a 116-run partnership to stabilise the innings. Mandhana scored seven boundaries and four sixes in her innings.

Mandhana and Kaur got out before reaching the target but Pooja Vastrakar (21*) and Deepti Sharma (11*) took India A home. 

The second match will be held at the same venue on October 24.

Brief scores: India A women 163/6 in 19 overs (Smriti Mandhana 72, Harmanpreet Kaur 45; Lauren Cheatle 2/18) beat Australia A women 160/6 in 20 overs (Heather Graham 43, Naomi Stalenberg 39; Anuja Patil 2/22)