Way to go, Smriti

India’s Smriti Mandhana lofts one against Australia yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

India captain Mithali Raj on Sunday lavished praise on batter Smriti Mandhana, who got her maiden Test century here, and veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami after their one-off pink ball Test against Australia ended in a draw.

"Smriti has been very impressive. I was impressed by Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh too in the one-dayers. I am sure Harmanpreet [who is injured] will take the field in the T20s," said Mithali in the presentation ceremony.

She added, Jhulan, 38, also showed why she has been the best from her country for such a long time.

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Mithali Raj

"Jhulan has always been our best bowler for so many years and we got to see why she was the best. She shared her experience and young seamers Pooja Vastrakar and Meghna Singh were given an opportunity alongside Jhulan so that they learn a lot," the Indian skipper said.

Dominant India

India were dominant throughout the match, with Smriti's super hundred in the first innings putting them beyond hosts reach. However, they did not have enough time to dismiss the hosts twice with almost one entire day of the match washed out.

Mithali said that the visitors would have attempted a few more overs had they got about four more wickets in the Australian second innings. The match ended in a draw with Australia on 36-2 as the two teams shook hands.

Meanwhile, Mandhana on Sunday said luck favoured her to create history. Mandhana, who scored 127 off 216 balls in India's first innings score of 377-8 declared, survived at the personal score of 80 when she sliced a full Ellyse Perry delivery straight to Beth Mooney at point but the bowler overstepped giving southpaw a much-needed reprieve.

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‘I'm lucky'

"Lucky with that no-ball on 80. That sort of cleared my mind after that I've got a chance I've to make it count," Mandhana said.

Mandhana rated her innings in the top three in her career so far. "It's definitely in the top three [asked to rate this hundred]. First time playing a day-night Test, really happy that I gave good pace [start] to the team. Most nervous night I have ever had after the first day," she said.

The left-handed batter said it was a privilege for her to represent India in Test cricket. "To wear whites and go into the field is the top-most thing."

Brief scores
India 377-8d & 135-3d (P Raut 41', S Verma 52) draw with Australia 241-9 d & 36-2 (M Lanning 17'; J Goswami 1-8)

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