India Women sealed a series to remember in Adelaide, beating Australia Women by 17 runs in the third T20I to take the contest 2-1. It’s India’s first bilateral T20I series win in Australia in a decade, and it also snapped Australia’s unbeaten home run in bilateral series that had stood since 2017.
The win capped a strong start to the multi-format tour. With the T20Is done, India moved 4-2 ahead overall going into the ODIs and the one-off Test.
India chose to bat after winning the toss, and they had to reset early after losing Shafali Verma. However, Smriti Mandhana held the innings together and then pushed the pace, guiding India to 176/6.
Mandhana led the way with 82 from 55 balls, mixing clean drives with strong shots off the back foot. At the other end, Jemimah Rodrigues kept the scoreboard moving and picked the right moments to attack. Together, they added 121 for the second wicket, India’s best partnership against Australia in women’s T20Is.
Australia couldn’t find a long spell of control in the middle overs. Annabel Sutherland stood out with 2/34, but the rest of the attack leaked runs at key times. By the end, India had posted their highest women’s T20I total at Adelaide Oval, and the pressure quickly shifted to the hosts.
India’s Women bowlers keep Australia in check
Australia’s chase started with intent, yet India kept chipping away with regular wickets. Ashleigh Gardner fought hard with 57 from 45 balls, although she didn’t get enough support around her.
Shreyanka Patil and Sree Charani turned the game with tight, smart spells. Patil finished with 3/22, while Charani took 3/32, and their pace changes and accuracy broke the middle order. India also held their nerve in the field, including a sharp catch from Rodrigues to remove Gardner when Australia needed her most.
In the end, Australia closed on 159/9, falling 17 runs short. A late hit-wicket dismissal summed up a chase that never fully settled.
Top India Women performers
- Smriti Mandhana (Player of the Match): 82 (55), a calm, attacking knock at the top
- Jemimah Rodrigues: 59 (46), steady support and timely acceleration
- Shreyanka Patil and Sree Charani: 3 wickets each, they shut down the middle overs
- Ashleigh Gardner: 57 (45), the main resistance in the chase
The result also came on a big day for Ellyse Perry, who played her 350th international match, though India spoiled the celebration.
The series swung back and forth before India landed the final punch:
- 1st T20I (Sydney): India won by 21 runs (DLS) in a rain-hit match
- 2nd T20I (Canberra): Australia won by 19 runs
- 3rd T20I (Adelaide): India won by 17 runs to clinch the series
India’s last bilateral T20I series win in Australia came in 2016 under Mithali Raj. This 2026 win, arriving after their recent ODI World Cup success and a 5-0 sweep of Sri Lanka, adds to the feeling that this group is ready for the biggest stages.
After the match, Mandhana called the win “really special,” and said the focus now shifts to the ODI series, which starts Tuesday in Brisbane.
India earned this win with clear plans, strong partnerships, and disciplined bowling. Just as important, they handled the big moments better in the decider. Now the tour moves to 50-over cricket, where both teams will get another chance to set the tone before the one-off Test.
