In an impressive display, India Women secured a dominant victory over Australia Women in the first T20 match. Chasing Australia's 141 runs, India comfortably achieved the target with 9 wickets and 14 balls to spare. Titas Sadhu's outstanding bowling performance earned her the Player of the Match title with figures of 4/17. India's batting was led by Shafali Verma with an unbeaten 64 off 44 balls and Smriti Mandhana's 54 off 52 balls. The match took place at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. India Women now lead the series 1-0 in this highly anticipated T20 contest.  

3 things you need to know 

• India women’s beat Australia by 9 wickets 
• India leads the series, 1-0 
• Titas Sandhu received the Player of the Match award

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Smriti Mandhana creates history against Australia 

Smriti Mandhana, the team's star opener, has joined an elite club of players by achieving 3000 runs in T20 Internationals. The left-handed batter accomplished this accomplishment during the first T20I match against Australia, taking 122 innings to become the second Indian women's cricketer, after Harmanpreet Kaur, to do so in T20Is.

In a larger sense, Mandhana is now the sixth women's player in history to join the famous 3000-run club in the game's shortest form. Suzie Bates of New Zealand tops the list, followed by Meg Lanning of Australia, Stephanie Taylor of the West Indies, Harmanpreet Kaur, Sophie Devine of New Zealand, and Smriti Mandhana.

Furthermore, Smriti Mandhana has joined the ranks of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Harmanpreet Kaur as the fourth Indian player to surpass the 3000-run milestone in T20Is.

Mandhana demonstrated her steady performance in the recent T20I encounter against Australia at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. She was instrumental in India's 142-run chase, forging a partnership of nearly 100 runs for the opening wicket with Shafali Verma, laying a solid platform.

After winning the toss, India chose to bowl in the first of three T20Is against Australia.

Titas Sadhu bowled a career-best 4/17, while Deepti Sharma added 2/24 and Shreyanka Patil 2/19 to enable India Women's side limit Australia to 141 runs.

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Sadhu made an immediate impact, taking three key wickets in the very first stint. Despite the tenacity of Phoebe Litchfield (49) and Ellyse Perry (37), who had a solid 79-run fifth-wicket stand, Australia battled as wickets fell in clumps.

Faced with a potent Indian bowling attack, the batting order buckled under strain and was bowled out in 19.2 overs. Sadhu's outstanding period, especially on the powerplay, saw her reject Beth Mooney (17), Tahlia McGrath (0), and Ashleigh Gardner (0).

The 19-year-old right-arm bowler returned in her penultimate over, during the 18th of the innings, to grab her fourth wicket of the night, removing Annabel Sutherland (12) and consolidating her outstanding performance.

When is India Women’s vs Australia Women’s 2nd T20I match?

The India Women’s vs Australia Women’s 2nd T20I match will be played on Sunday, January 7, 2024.