Mithali Raj's unbeaten ton helps India A take unassailable lead against Australia A in three-match T20 series

New Delhi: Riding on Mithali Raj’s record-setting, unbeaten hundred, India A defeated their Australian counterparts by 28 runs to take a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series on Wednesday. The victory meant that the third and final match, also to be played at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Bandra-Kurla facility will be of academic interest only. [caption id=“attachment_3806191” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of India captain Mithali Raj . AP[/caption] Veteran Mithali, who opened the innings along with Smriti Mandhana, was the cynosure of eyes as she tormented the Aussie bowlers in her whirlwind unbeaten 105-run knock which came off just 61 balls. On her way, the right-handed batswoman recorded the highest score by an Indian woman in T20, surpassing 102 earlier set by Smriti. While she completed her fifty in 31 balls, she notched her hundred in just 59 balls. Mithali’s knock ensured that the hosts piled up a massive 184 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. Later the Indian bowlers restricted the visitors to 156 for 9, ensuring the team’s win. Smriti (1), Jemimah Rodrigues (5), D Hemalatha (2) and Anuja Patil (0) fell cheaply, but that did not deter Mithali, who struck 18 boundaries and a six in her entertaining innings. Mithali, one of the best batswomen in women’s cricket in the world, stamped her class and also tuned up well for the World T20, which commences in the Caribbean next month. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (57 off 33 balls) ably supported Mithali as the two stitched a stand of 85 and ensured that the hosts went past the 175-run mark. Kaur’s knock was laced with six fours and three sixes. The Aussies were never in the hunt in the chase as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Opener Tahila McGrath (47) showed some resistance but without the support of partners as the Indian bowlers ticked all the boxes. Off-spinner Deepti Sharma (2-32), Poonam Yadav (2-29) and Anuja Patil (2-31) led the wicket hunt while Radha Yadav, Pooja Vastrakar and Harmanpreet Kaur grabbed a wicket each. Brief Scores: India A 184/5 (Mithali Raj 105 not out, Harmanpreet Kaur 57, Tahila McGrath 2-36) beat Australia A 156/9 (Tahila McGrath 47, Heather Graham 24, Poonam Yadav 2-29) by 28 runs.