After a bruising 3-0 defeat in the T20 series, India A Women showed remarkable steel and spirit in Brisbane, scripting one of their finest ODI chases to date — a thrilling two-wicket win over Australia A Women in the second one-dayer, sealing the series 2-0 with one match still to play. Chasing 266, the visitors looked in trouble at 157/6, but an extraordinary fightback from the lower order — led by Tanuja Kanwar’s composed 50 off 57 balls and Prema Rawat’s unbeaten 32 off 33 — turned the game on its head and scripted a historic chase against a side renowned for defending totals.
Bowling first, India’s attack had their work cut out as Australia A Women posted 265/9 in their 50 overs, driven by Alyssa Healy’s sparkling 91 off 87 balls and Kim Garth’s unbeaten 41 off 45. Healy, aggressive and clinical, dominated the early exchanges before falling to Radha Yadav, while Rachel Trenaman’s 24 and Ella Hayward’s 28 added useful support. However, wickets fell regularly and the hosts couldn’t quite explode at the death. Minnu Mani was the pick of the bowlers with 3/46 from 10 overs, while Saima Thakor’s 2/30 from 8 overs also provided the crucial breakthroughs.
In reply, India A’s chase began on shaky ground. Shafali Verma departed for just 4 with the score on 18, followed soon by Dhara Gujjar’s run-out at 20/2. But Yastika Bhatia, calm and fluent, anchored the innings with a superb 66 off 77 balls, laced with well-timed strokes and smart running. She found occasional support from Tejal Hasabnis (19) and Raghvi Bist (14), but by the 29th over, the scoreboard read 151/5. When Minnu Mani was dismissed for 3 at 157/6 in the 36th over, the equation looked steep — 109 runs needed from the final 14 overs, with only the lower order to come. And once skipper Radha Yadav fell for a well made 60 off 78, it looked gloomy for India A.
That’s when the momentum shifted. Tanuja Kanwar, walking in with the game in the balance, played with controlled aggression, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. Partnering with Prema Rawat, the pair stitched together a match-defining stand that chipped away at the target without panic. Kanwar’s 50 (57) was a mix of composure and intent, while Rawat’s 32* (33) ensured India stayed ahead of the required rate. Extras too played their part — Australia conceded 18 runs, keeping the pressure firmly on the bowlers.
The decisive moment came in the ultimatel over when Rawat guided the ball into the gap to take India past the target with two balls to spare. From 157/6 to 266/8, this was not just a chase — it was a rescue mission executed with nerves of steel.
For Australia A, Darcie Brown (0/49) and Kim Garth (1/39) tried to keep things tight, while Georgia Prestwidge (2/68), Ella Hayward (2/57) and Amy Edgar (2/55) provided breakthroughs. But the inability to break the Kanwar–Rawat stand proved costly.
India now have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one match remaining. Australia A Women, meanwhile, will look to salvage pride when the sides meet again for the third and final one-dayer on August 17th from 05:00 AM (IST) at the same venue in Brisbane.
The T20 leg had been a sobering experience for India A — close in the opener, blown away in the second, and edged out in the final match — but this ODI series has been a complete reversal
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