Shreyanka shines as India take lead in multi-format series

India secured a comfortable 17-run win in the third T20I at the Adelaide Oval to add two more points to their tally in the multi-format series. An impressive 121-run stand between Smriti Mandhana (82) and Jemimah Rodrigues (59) helped India post a sizable 176/6 before early breakthroughs with the ball strengthened their position. Australia fought back through Ashleigh Gardner's 57 but were unable to recover from the initial damage.

After India opted to bat first, Darcie Brown began with a wayward over, conceding five wides and a boundary to get the visitors underway. Australia tightened up through disciplined overs from Gardner and Kim Garth, during which Shafali Verma was dismissed. However, the acceleration began with Rodrigues joining Mandhana at the crease.

After peeling off a boundary each in the third and the fourth overs, they struck three fours in the sixth over to take India to 54/1 and end the PowerPlay on a high. The partnership flourished through regular boundaries and smart rotation of strike. Mandhana reached her fifty with a six over mid-wicket in the 12th over and she continued to attack by striking two more fours and sixes before falling to Annabel Sutherland in the 17th over.

Rodrigues, who had been dropped in the 15th over, brought up her fifty in the 18th over while Richa Ghosh's seven-ball, 18-run cameo propelled India at the death. Sutherland contained the damage in the final over where India managed to score just three runs while losing three wickets.

In reply, an indisciplined 18-run opening over from Renuka Singh Thakur saw Australia get off to a rollicking start. They were, however, derailed early after losing three wickets in three overs. It began with Shreyanka Patil, who replaced Kranti Gaud in India's XI, dismissing Georgia Voll in the second over. Renuka then had Beth Mooney holing out to deep backward square leg in the following over. A landmark 350th international match went awry for Elleyse Perry as she was bowled by Shreyanka in the fourth over, leaving Australia on 32/3.

Phoebe Litchfield and Gardner promised to rebuild with their 31-run stand but it ended with Litchfield holing out to long-off attempting a switch-hit in the ninth over. India squandered an opportunity to truly press home the advantage after Amanjot Kaur dropped Gardner off her own bowling. Even as Georgia Wareham fell in the 13th over, Gardner threatened to turn the game and brought up fifty with a boundary in the 16th over. A light drizzle also appeared to aid Australia, helping the ball skid on to the bat better while also quickening a rather sluggish and sandy outfield.

It took a brilliant diving catch from Rodrigues at deep mid-wicket later in the same over to see Gardner's return. Australia lost their way thereafter, with Grace Harris stepping on her own stumps in the following over before Sophie Molineux was trapped LBW four balls later. Shreyanka added a third wicket to her tally after trapping Sutherland in front while Australia tottered to 159/9 in their 20 overs.

The multi-format series now moves to the ODI leg, starting with the clash at The Gabba on February 24.

Brief Scores: India 176/6 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 82, Jemimah Rodrigues 59; Annabel Sutherland 2-34) beat Australia 159/9 in 20 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 57; Shreyanka Patil 3-22, Sree Charani 3-32) by 17 runs.