Vaishnavi Sharma took six wickets for India A on Day 2 against Australia A, leaving them 322 runs ahead.
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Can one bowler change an entire match in a single day? On Day 2 in Mohali, Vaishnavi Sharma made Australia A’s batters look silly with her left-arm spin, and India A ended the day in total control.
Let’s review what happened.
The Day at a Glance
India A Women are way ahead of Australia A Women in this unofficial Test match. The key information is:
- India A first innings: all out for 364 runs.
- Australia A first innings: bowled out for just 176 runs.
- India A second innings: 134 for 2 at the close.
- Lead: Big three-hundred and twenty-two runs, with eight wickets remaining.
- Best bowler: Vaishnavi Sharma, who accounted for six wickets for 52 runs.
Niki Prasad scored 91 as India A completed their first innings, then claimed 2 for 27 with the ball. That’s a great all-round day. Later, Priya Punia smacked 59 runs, and Yastika Bhatia remained not out on 33.
How Australia A Fell Apart
Initially, Australia A looked safe, with opener Rachel Trenaman (44) and Tahlia Wilson (35) putting on 66 runs without losing a wicket. India A needed a good opportunity to get some runs in.
Niki Prasad found some turn and took both openers away, which put the rest of their batters in danger.
Vaishnavi took six of the last eight wickets.
Shuchi Upadhyay, another left-arm spinner, took two wickets.
Together, they took five for 28 to reduce the score from 66 without loss to 176 all out. India A claimed an advantage of 188 in the first innings. This is a huge lead in a Test match.
Why Does This Matter?
This is not just one day of hard work, as Vaishnavi has now delivered in all formats in this series. She took 2 wickets in the T20 and 8 wickets in three 50-over matches. She now has a six-wicket haul in a red-ball match.
This shows she can be a good bowler in both short and long forms of the game. Left-arm spin is a great weapon in a Test match at home, and Vaishnavi gets the ball to dip and the rough from a worn pitch to help her out. The Indian senior team will always need someone like her.
Her bowling is also backed up by her batting, as seen by the big scores of Tanisha (92), Prasad (91) and Punia (59). When batters score big, bowlers can attack the fielding and go after wickets. This is the mark of a good team.
What Happens on Day 3?
India A are 322 runs ahead with eight wickets left. They can bat a little and then declare early to let their spinners bowl for long enough on a pitch that is becoming more difficult to bat on.
Vaishnavi and Prasad will be able to bowl again with the pitch turning again. Australia A will have to do something amazing to survive.
Final Thoughts
Day 2 was all about India A, and Vaishnavi Sharma was the standout bowler. She took six wickets, a six-figure lead, and a good batting line-up for her first day. Australia A will have to try their hardest to save the match.
So what are your thoughts on this situation? Should Vaishnavi get a spot in the senior Test team soon?
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