Knott century in vain as India A pull off monster chase

Charli Knott's blistering century and Courtney Webb's 95 went in vain as India A chased down their imposing 363-run target to win their one-day series against Australia A 2-1.

Queenslander Knott's 109 and Webb's 92-ball knock powered the Aussies to 9-362 from their 50 overs, but Minnu Mani responded with an unbeaten 88 to lift the hosts to a remarkable four-wicket victory in the penultimate over in Mohali.

Knott's 70-ball century in a third-wicket stand of 166 with the South Australian No.3 had put the visitors in a commanding position after captain Tahlia Wilson elected to bat in the series decider.

Wilson had earlier given her side a solid start, striking six boundaries in her 38, while Rachel Trenaman made 29 as the openers put on 75 before 20-year-old left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma removed both in the space of five deliveries.

But any prospect of that double strike checking Australia's momentum quickly disappeared once Knott joined Webb.

Knott dictated the tempo, racing to 109 from 70 balls with 12 fours and five sixes, the fifth of which off part-timer Tanisha Singh took her to three figures.

Meanwhile, Webb anchored the stand with seven boundaries before she was caught off Niki Prasad just short of a century in the 48th over. Their partnership carried Australia A from 2-76 to 3-242 in fewer than 20 overs, laying the foundation for a sizable total.

Nicole Faltum added 22 from 21 balls and Hayley Silver-Holmes thumped 19 from eight as Australia A amassed 362 for nine from their 50 overs. Vaishnavi returned 4-48, while Prasad claimed 4-84, including Knott and Webb.

India A's pursuit began brightly through Singh and Vrinda Dinesh, but Australia A kept finding ways back into the contest. Frankie Nicklin removed Dinesh for 34, before Knott dismissed Uma Chetry and Lilly Mills accounted for Tejal Hasabnis as the hosts slipped to 3-85.

Tanisha's swift 60 from 58 balls kept the required rate within reach, but when Knott had her caught by Webb at 4-119 in the 20th over, Australia A remained firmly in the box seat.

That advantage was steadily eroded by captain Anushka Sharma and Prasad. Anushka struck four fours and three sixes in a 42-ball 58, combining with Prasad for a 91-run stand to wrestle back the momentum before Mills broke through at 5-210.

Mani then seized control. The left-hander struck 12 fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 88 from 56 balls, adding 107 with Prasad as India A surged towards their target. Prasad's 76 ended in a run out from the final ball of the 43rd over, but Mani and Jintimani Kalita refused to let Australia A back in.

Kalita finished on 19 not out from as many deliveries as India A reached 6-364 in 48.2 overs. Knott completed an outstanding all-round match with 2-57, Mills took 2-81 and Tayla Vlaeminck conceded just 26 runs from six overs, but Australia A could not contain India's middle order in another a high-scoring one-dayer at IS Bindra Stadium.

The victory gave India A the three-match one-day series 2-1, after the teams had traded successful chases in the opening two matches. Australia A swept the preceding T20 series 3-0.

The multi-format tour concludes with a four-day match at the same venue, beginning on Tuesday.

Australia A tour of India 2026 – women

Australia A squad: Darcie Brown, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Milly Illingworth, Charli Knott, Anika Learoyd, Katie Mack, Lilly Mills, Frankie Nicklin, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Rachel Trenaman, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson, Tayla Vlaeminck

First T20: Australia A won by six wickets

Second T20: Australia A won by 30 runs

Third T20: Australia A won by seven runs

First one-dayer: India A won by four wickets

Second one-dayer: Australia A won by two wickets

Third one-dayer: India A won by four wickets

Four-dayer: September 29 – October 2, IS Bindra Stadium, 2pm AEST