India Women posted 98/1 in 19 overs at Stumps on Day 1 after Australia women won the toss and opted to bat first and got all-out for just 219 runs in Mumbai on Thursday.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Australia women made a poor start as they lost opener Phoebe Litchfield in the first over after a mix-up with her partner Beth Mooney at the Wankhede Stadium. Four deliveries later, Vastrakar produced a jaffa to remove Ellyse Perry (4) and reduced Australia to 7/2 inside the first two overs.
Tahlia McGrath (50 off 56 balls, 8x4s) came out firing on all cylinders to put pressure back on India. McGrath was severe on anything that had width, racing to her third fifty in five Tests with eight fours.
While making the bulk of runs during her 80-run stand with Mooney for the third wicket, McGrath also set herself up for a big score. But an error in judgement made her pay heavily, and it also opened the floodgates for India.
Ashleigh Gardner (11) was Vastrakar’s fourth victim as she meekly played one outside the off stump to be caught behind. But Australia’s tail produced a good fightback to take them past 200.
Jonassen and Garth took their time collecting runs as their 30-run partnership came off 93 balls, while Lauren Cheatle (6) also hung around to ensure Australia put a reasonable total on the board.
Meanwhile, Beth Mooney (40) and Alyssa Healy (38) also made crucial contributions. For the home side's bowling department, Pooja Vastrakar took four wickets, Sneh Rana scalped three and Deepti Sharma bagged two dismissals.
Team India looking to take the lead on Day 2
In response to Australia's 219, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana gave India a strong start, but the former departed for 40 off 49 balls. Meanwhile, Mandhana (43*) remained unbeaten with Sneh Rana (4*) and the duo will resume batting on Day 2 and will look to go past Australia's first-innings score.