India's cricket tale: Men's team disappoints vs Australia; Women steal the show against West Indies

December 27 saw both the men's and women's cricket teams in action for their respective games. While the men¡¯s team was playing Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia Down Under, the women¡¯s team was hosting the West Indies in Vadodara for a three-match ODI series. However, the results for the two teams differed, evoking mixed emotions among fans, from disappointment to happiness.

For the men¡¯s team, winning the Test match is crucial to securing their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Meanwhile, for the women, these ODIs are part of the ICC Championship, which is vital for improving their position for the upcoming Women¡¯s ODI World Cup 2025.

IND vs AUS:

At stumps on Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia firmly held the upper hand, having reduced India to 164/5 in 46 overs. The visitors now trail by 310 runs, with the match leaning heavily in favor of the hosts.

Earlier, Steve Smith expertly guided the lower order and formed a crucial 112-run partnership with skipper Pat Cummins that pushed Australia past the 400-run mark. The Aussies went on to post a formidable total of 474.

In response, India faced an early blow as Rohit Sharma, who came to open, departed cheaply. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul steadied the innings, displaying resilience until Rahul fell to a vicious delivery on the last ball before tea.

Stumps on Day 2 in Melbourne!#TeamIndia move to 164/5, trail by 310 runs

Updates ?? https://t.co/njfhCncRdL#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/9ZADNv5SZf

¡ª BCCI (@BCCI) December 27, 2024

Virat Kohli then joined Jaiswal at the crease and appeared in great touch amid the boos from fans. Jaiswal reached a well-deserved fifty and shifted gears, helping the duo build a 100-run partnership that brought India back into contention.

However, the momentum swung dramatically when Jaiswal was run-out attempting a tight single. The dismissal seemed to impact Kohli, who also departed a few balls later. Akash Deep, coming in as the nigh-watchman, was also dismissed. With Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease, India will hope for a strong fightback on Day 3.

IND W vs WI W:

After securing a 2-1 victory in the T20I series, the Women in Blue have already clinched the ODI series with a 2-0 lead and are now playing the third and final match. Opting to bat first, the West Indies struggled once again, failing to complete their 50 overs and being bowled out in just 38.5 overs for 162 runs.

Deepti Sharma was the standout performer, claiming a sensational six-wicket haul with career-best figures. Prior to her, it was Renuka Singh who set the tone by dismissing Qiana Joseph off the first ball of the match. In the same over, skipper Hayley Matthews was undone by a sharp nip-backer and bowled while Deandra Dottin followed soon after.

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Deepti Sharma put on a show in Vadodara today! ? ?

Relive her 6?-wicket haul ? ?#TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @Deepti_Sharma06 | @IDFCFIRSTBank https://t.co/239JRR14Sh

¡ª BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 27, 2024

However, the visitors saw a solid partnership between Chinelle Henry and Shemaine Campbelle that steadied the innings. However, Campbelle's dismissal sparked a collapse. Zaida James and Aaliyah Alleyne, who came in next, failed to rotate the strike while Henry reached her half-century but fell shortly after for 61.

The total of 162 is unlikely to challenge India's in-form batting lineup and the side would be awaiting a clean sweep in the series. However, the hosts have also lost 4 wickets and so far, have scored 119 runs in 22 overs.

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