NEW DELHI: India vice captain Smriti Mandhana said Jemimah Rodrigues’ fearless strokeplay allowed her to settle after a slow start, a move that proved decisive in India’s thrilling 17 run win over Australia in the third and final T20I on Saturday.

Mandhana struck a fluent 82 while Jemimah added 59 as the duo stitched a commanding 121 run stand that powered India to 176 for 6. The bowlers then held their nerve to restrict Australia to 159 for 9.

Also READ: Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues power India to historic T20I series win in Australia

"When she came in, I think I was 16-ball 15 (runs) and still getting my timing and she came in, got three or four boundaries, got the momentum going and I could take some time," Mandhana said in the post-match presentation.

"Those small things don't really get noticed, but I feel when she (Jemimah) came in and got those quick 2-3 boundaries, it calmed me down as well. So, credit to her for coming in and playing that sort of a knock," said Mandhana about her innings, which helped India win its first T20I series Down Under after 2016.

Mandhana called the triumph over a strong Australian unit special but quickly turned attention to the upcoming three match ODI series beginning in Brisbane on Tuesday.

"It was good to contribute to the series win. I think beating Australia in Australia is something really special. I'm really happy for the team and glad that I could contribute. Jemi (Rodrigues) coming in and making me run all those twos, but yeah, I think it's a really good partnership between Jemi and me.

"I think we did beat them in 2016 back when we had come here, but I think we've played T20 after a very long time in Australia, so beating them is really nice, but we will move on to the ODI series and not celebrate too much," added Mandhana.

Harmanpreet hails team effort and bowling discipline

India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who promoted Richa Ghosh to number four and walked in late herself, lauded Mandhana and Jemimah and stressed that disciplined bowling was the key to beating Australia.

"It (win) means a lot, I think it's a complete team effort. So really good to see that everybody's coming up and contributing for the team. I think every partnership was very important for us. That's what we discussed in the team meetings, that we have to be there. We have to keep taking the responsibility, They both played a very big role.

"The (bowling) plans are very simple. I think whenever we take 10 wickets, we are always on the winning side. It was very clear that, a side like that, when you know you have so many batters, it's only about taking wickets. It's not easy but I think the bowlers did a really great job for us," added Harmanpreet.

Molineux rues missed chances, eyes ODI rebound

Australia’s newly appointed skipper Sophie Molineux admitted that losing wickets at crucial stages hurt their chase.

"We actually thought we kept them to a good score. It was a pretty good wicket, we lost some pretty important wickets at the wrong time."

Molineux also said the team could not deliver the perfect result on Ellyse Perry’s 350th appearance.

"It was a bit of a bugger, we couldn't get the result for her tonight, but yeah, she's a special person, special cricketer. She's done so much for the game, for our team, continues to, and here's to 350 more."

She added that Australia would regroup quickly with Alyssa Healy set for her farewell stretch in national colours.

"I think Midge (Healy) is going to bring an injection of some real excitement, it's going to be her last four games for Australia (3 ODIs and one-off Test), and we're going to do everything possible to send her off on the right note," she said

(With PTI Inputs)