India women beat Australia by 17 runs to clinch historic T20I series victory

In a landmark achievement for Indian women’s cricket , India defeated Australia by 17 runs in the third and final Women’s T20I on Saturday to seal their first bilateral T20I series win in Australia in a decade . The triumph not only ends a long wait on foreign soil but also establishes India as a formidable force in international women’s T20 cricket.

The victory was powered by a stunning 121-run partnership between Smriti Mandhana (82 off 55 balls) and Jemimah Rodrigues (59 off 46 balls) , who anchored India to a strong total of 176 for six after electing to bat. Mandhana’s innings , full of powerful strokes and precise timing, earned her the Player of the Match award. It also marked her 33rd international fifty , highlighting her status as one of the team’s key performers.

India’s young bowlers then took centre stage. Spinner Shreyanka Patil (3/22) and pace spearhead Renuka Singh (1/29) ripped through Australia’s top order early, leaving the hosts reeling at 32 for 3 . Shree Charani later claimed three crucial wickets, helping India restrict Australia to 159 for 9 and secure a memorable 2-1 series win .

Australia, traditionally one of the strongest teams in women’s cricket, were under pressure from the outset. Early dismissals of openers Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney , combined with the removal of star batter Ellyse Perry for just 1, set the tone for India’s dominance. Despite a fighting half-century from Ashleigh Gardner (57 off 45 balls) , India’s bowlers ensured there was no late surge.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur ’s tactical promotion of Richa Ghosh to No. 4 added impetus, with the keeper-batter blasting 18 off seven balls , helping India post a challenging total.

This win is historic not just for the numbers, but for what it signifies: a new era for Indian women’s cricket , blending experience and emerging talent, and proving that the team can rise to the challenge against the world’s top sides in foreign conditions.