Hasabnis’ 81 Powers India A Women Past Australia A Women

India A Women took a 1-0 lead over Australia A Women with a four-wicket victory in the first unofficial ODI in Mohali on September 20, chasing 236 with 53 balls remaining. Tejal Hasabnis made 81 from 82 balls, while Niki Prasad followed her three-wicket bowling performance with an unbeaten 32 to complete a successful chase of 239 for 6 in 41.1 overs.

The result came after India A recovered from 46 for 3 in the tenth over. Hasabnis and Anushka Sharma turned the innings around with a 126-run partnership from 126 balls, moving the hosts from an early setback into a position of control. Anushka made 55 from 61 balls, and Hasabnis’ attacking innings included six sixes.

It was an all-round contribution from Prasad that helped set up and finish the win. Her 3 for 28 was the best bowling return of the match as Australia A were dismissed for 235 in 46.3 overs. She then remained unbeaten in the chase and hit the winning runs with a reverse-swept four to deep third.

India A spinners spark Australia A collapse

Australia A had been in a solid position after being put in, reaching 149 for 2. Captain Tahlia Wilson top-scored with 48 from 53 balls, while Charli Knott added momentum with 39 off 27 deliveries. But India A’s spinners changed the course of the innings, taking the final eight Australia A wickets for 86 runs.

Prasad, Vaishnavi Sharma and Amandeep Kaur shared eight wickets between them. Prasad took 3 for 28, Vaishnavi returned 3 for 40, and Amandeep claimed 2 for 56 on her India A debut. Prasad’s haul included the dismissal of Lilly Mills through a one-handed return catch.

The bowling effort ensured Australia A did not build on their strong start. Wilson’s 48 and Knott’s fast 39 had provided a platform, but India A worked through the middle and lower order to bowl the visitors out before their full 50 overs. The total of 235 gave India A a defined target, though the chase began with Australia A applying immediate pressure.

Australia A’s bowlers reduced India A to 46 for 3, creating the opening that made the contest significant beyond the final margin. Flintoff took 2 for 35 and Nicklin 2 for 49, but neither could break the decisive fourth-wicket stand before it shifted the balance firmly towards India A.

Hasabnis and Anushka reshape the chase

Hasabnis and Anushka responded to the early losses by attacking their way out of trouble. Their partnership lowered the required rate and put India A on course for a comfortable finish. When Anushka was dismissed for 55, 64 runs were still needed, but the required rate had fallen to 3.25.

Hasabnis fell soon after her 81, leaving Prasad to guide the final phase. Her unbeaten 32 came from 22 deliveries and ensured India A did not face a repeat of the third T20. The final score of 239 for 6 gave the hosts a four-wicket win and an early advantage in the Australia A Women tour of India.

For India A, the match was shaped by contributions across both innings: the spinners’ collective work after Australia A reached 149 for 2, Hasabnis’ six-hitting 81, Anushka’s recovery-defining half-century and Prasad’s impact with bat and ball. Australia A will point to their early success with the ball, but India A’s middle-order response proved decisive in Mohali.