India Women’s A staged a spirited comeback on Day 2 of the Unofficial Test against Australia A, thanks to a defiant 93-run knock by middle-order batter Raghvi Bist and a crucial half-century from tail-ender VJ Joshitha.
After a rain-hit opening day left India reeling at 72/5, Bist anchored the innings with partnerships of 64 runs with Radha Yadav and 75 runs with Minnu Mani, lifting the visitors to a competitive 299.
Bist’s 153-ball innings, laced with 16 boundaries, ended just shy of a century when she was bowled by Maitlan Brown. Joshitha then joined forces with Titas Sadhu to add another 75 runs for the ninth wicket, frustrating the Australian bowlers and pushing India close to the 300-run mark.
Australia A’s reply faltered early, with the hosts reduced to 158/5 at stumps. Saima Thakor and Radha Yadav claimed two wickets each, while Sadhu chipped in with one. Skipper Tahila Wilson’s 49 and Nicole Faltum’s unbeaten 30 kept Australia afloat, but they still trail by 141 runs with two days remaining.
India’s resilience, especially from its lower order, has shifted momentum in their favour, setting up an exciting finish to the one-off Test.
