This century is definitely among my top three knocks, reveals Mandhana

India, for the second consecutive time this year, drew a Test match and it was especially sweeter for the kind of performance they have put in this time. With odds firmly stacked against them, India put up a highly commendable performance, dominating Australia for the better part in their maiden Day/Night Test, which ended in a draw primarily due to inclement weather during the first two days.

Smriti Mandhana scored a century in the first innings and on being asked to rate her knock, the Maharashtra batter kept it within the top three memorable knocks of her career. 

"It's definitely in the top three (asked to rate this hundred). First time playing a day-night Test, really happy that I gave a good pace (start) to the team. 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," Mandhana said while receiving her Player of the Match award.

Mandhana further added that the Test match provided a completely unique experience and batting with a gully and slip fielder was a thrilling factor. 

"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.

Indian Skipper Mithali Raj asserted that rain played a spoilsport and didn't allow them to force a win. However, she is extremely happy with the result and thanked Jhulan Goswami and Smriti Mandhana for their effort to hand India the advantage.

"Had we got four more wickets we would have gone for a few more overs. Rain took a lot of time out of the game. We tried to do whatever we could in the time we got. Jhulan has always been my best bowler for so many years and she shares her experience with the young bowlers. 

"We do have a couple of young seamers, Meghna and Pooja, who have done well in the ODIs and they get to a learn a lot. Smriti has been fabulous. I was impressed by Yastika in the series. We do have impressive talent in the squad. I am sure she (Harmanpreet Kaur) will take the field in the T20 format," Mithali said.