India opener Smriti Mandhana impressed one and all with her exploits in the just-concluded pink-ball Test against Australia at Carrara Oval, Queensland.
Mandhana slammed 127 in India’s first innings to help the visitors pile up a massive 377/8 (declared). It was her maiden century in the longest format and also the first by an Indian woman on Australian soil.
The southpaw also scored 32 in India’s second innings and earned the Player-of-the-Match award.
After the game, which ended in a draw on Sunday (October 3), Mandhana rated this century as one of her top three.
"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," she said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
"Most nervous night I have ever had - after the first day. Lucky with that no-ball on 80. That sort of cleared my mind after that. To wear whites and go into the field is the top-most thing. The different situation today to bat than the first day and that happens only in Tests."
"To bat with slips, gully is a different feel. We just have three days before the T20s. Rest for a day and get back to business with the T20s coming up," she added.
As the pink-ball Test ended in a draw, both teams will get two points each. The multi-format series after the three ODIs and a Test currently stands at Australia 6 - India 4.
The two sides will now play a three-match T20I series. Carrara Oval, Queensland will host the three T20Is on October 7, October 9 and October 10.
(With ANI inputs)
