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 176/6 before early breakthroughs with the ball strengthened their position. Australia fought back through Ashleigh Gardner's 57 but were unable to recover.

After India opted to bat first, Darcie Brown began with a wayward over, conceding five wides and a boundary. Australia tightened up, dismissing Shafali Verma. However, the acceleration began with Rodrigues joining Mandhana at the crease.

They struck three fours in the sixth over to take India to 54/1 at the end of the PowerPlay. The partnership flourished through regular boundaries and smart rotation. Mandhana reached her fifty with a six in the 12th over and continued to attack before falling to Annabel Sutherland in the 17th.

Rodrigues, who had been dropped in the 15th over, brought up her fifty in the 18th while Richa Ghosh's seven-ball, 18-run cameo propelled India at the death.

In reply, an indisciplined 18-run opening over from Renuka Singh Thakur gave Australia a fast start. They were derailed early, losing three wickets in three overs. It began with Shreyanka Patil, replacing Kranti Gaud in India's XI, dismissing Georgia Voll in the second over. Renuka then had Beth Mooney caught out in the following over. Elleyse Perry was bowled by Shreyanka in the fourth over, leaving Australia on 32/3.

Phoebe Litchfield and Gardner rebuilt with a 31-run stand, but it ended with Litchfield holing out to long-off attempting a switch-hit in the ninth over. India squandered a chance to 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, bringing up fifty in the 16th over.

A brilliant diving catch from Rodrigues at deep mid-wicket later in the same over removed Gardner. Australia lost their way thereafter, with Grace Harris stepping on her stumps and Sophie Molineux trapped LBW shortly after. Shreyanka added a third wicket, trapping Sutherland LBW as Australia finished on 159/9.

The multi-format series now moves to the ODI leg, starting 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.