Twitter Reactions: Titas Sadhu's 4-fer sets up nine-wicket hammering for Australia as India go 1-0 up

After being thrashed 3-0 in the ODI series, India made a terrific comeback in the T20I series against Australia as they beat them by nine wickets in the first game on Friday, January 5 at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. After being put in to bat first, Australia were bundled out for 141 in 19.2 overs with Titas Sadhu picking up a four-wicket haul. In reply, India comfortably chased down the target in 17.4 overs and took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana came out all guns blazing as they took the attack on Australia right from the word go. Mandhana scored the 23^rd half-century of her career scoring 54 off 52 balls while Shafali remained unbeaten on 64* (44) with the duo adding 137 runs for the first wicket off just 93 balls. Their partnership was broken by Georgia Wareham who dismissed Mandhana in the 16^th over. Following her dismissal, Jemimah Rodrigues (6* off 11) walked to the crease and played second fiddle to Shafali who took India home.

Also Read: ‘Everyone is excited’ - Harmanpreet Kaur talks about team's mood ahead of T20I series against Australia

Earlier in the day, after being put in to bat first, Australia got off to a steady start as openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney added 28 runs for the first wicket off 23 balls. Right-arm seamer Titas Sadhu struck the first blow for India by removing Mooney (17 off 18) in the fourth over while Renuka Singh dismissed Healy (8 off 8) from the other end to leave Australia on 32/2.

Sadhu further struck twice in the sixth over dismissing Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner for ducks to leave Australia reeling at 33/4 after six overs. Seeing their team in trouble, Ellyse Perry (37 off 30) and Phoebe Litchfield (49 off 32) got involved in a crucial stand of 79 off 52 balls for the fifth wicket and took Australia’s score past 110.

Titas Sadhu picked up her career-best figures

However, Amanjot Kaur broke the stand dismissing Litchfield on 49. Grace Harris (1 off 2) and Georgia Wareham (5 off 5) failed to finish the innings on a high as they fell prey to Shreyanka Ptail. At the other end, Sadhu returned in the attack and sent Annabel Sutherland (12 off 11) back into the pavilion to register her career-best figures of 4/17 in four overs. Courtesy of her magnificent bowling performance, Australia were bundled out for 141 in 19.2 overs.

 Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on India's comprehensive victory. Here are some of the posts: