Jemimah Rodrigues showcased her prowess in the Test format, securing her second consecutive half-century while Richa Ghosh marked her debut with a fifty as they formed a formidable 113-run partnership. However, India faced setbacks, losing quick wickets in the second session of Day 2 against Australia in the one-off Test at the Wankhede Stadium.
At Tea, India stood at 276/7 in 81 overs, with Deepti Sharma at the crease with four runs and Pooja Vastrakar at one. With just three wickets remaining, India held a lead of 57 runs.
While the Indian team dominated earlier sessions, they faced a collapse, surrendering four wickets for 83 runs in this session.
Richa and Jemimah continued building on the solid foundation after lunch, completing their individual half-centuries and a century partnership. However, the momentum shifted after the drinks break in the second session.
Jemimah showed her intent with consecutive boundaries off Jess Jonassen but eventually fell while trying to accelerate the scoring. Richa, too eager to press on, was dismissed shortly after, failing to connect cleanly on a pull shot.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the skipper, fell victim to a delivery that kept low, caught in front of the stumps, while Yastika Bhatia missed a sweep shot and was given out leg-before-wicket after a review.
Jemimah, who had played an exceptional innings, aiming for her maiden Test century, was dismissed while driving at a delivery from Gardner, giving a sharp catch to Annabel Sutherland at extra cover. Her remarkable knock of 73 off 121 balls, embellished with nine fours, ended as she fell just shy of a century.
It was a stellar performance by the Mumbai-born 23-year-old, showcasing her class until her dismissal.
(With Agency Inputs)
