India’s star opener, Smriti Mandhana, walks back to the pavilion after her dismissal by Australia’s Grace Harris during the fiercely contested 3rd WODI.
Australia emerged victorious in the third Women’s ODI, defeating India by 43 runs and securing their 11th bilateral series win. While Smriti Mandhana showcased an impressive individual performance, it was Beth Mooney’s exceptional batting that ultimately powered Australia to triumph.
Australia set a commanding total, scoring 412 runs all out – their joint-highest in Women’s ODIs. Beth Mooney was the architect of this monumental innings, smashing an explosive 138 runs off just 79 deliveries. This incredible feat eclipsed their previous record of 371/8, also achieved against India in Brisbane the previous year.
The Australian squad demonstrated their dominance by winning the series 2-1, successfully fending off India’s tenacious challenge. Despite a valiant chase that included a formidable 121-run partnership between Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, the hosts ultimately finished at 369 runs, falling short of the demanding target.
Had India successfully chased this target, it would have shattered the world record for the highest successful run chase in Women’s ODIs, currently standing at 302 runs by Sri Lanka against South Africa in Potchefstroom in 2024.
This exhilarating match was a feast of boundaries, with India’s bowlers conceding a staggering 60 fours and five sixes. In contrast, Australia’s disciplined attack limited India to 39 fours and seven sixes.
India’s fielding performance was marred by inconsistencies, including several dropped catches and misfields. However, Deepti Sharma provided a moment of brilliance with a stunning one-handed return catch to dismiss Grace Harris.
Mandhana’s individual brilliance shone through as she notched her second consecutive century, scoring an electrifying 125 runs off just 63 balls. Her blistering 50-ball hundred set a new record for the fastest century by an Indian woman in ODIs, surpassing her own previous best of 70 balls.
During their pivotal partnership, Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur kept the scoring rate at an impressive ten runs per over. Kaur herself was a significant contributor, scoring a brisk 52 runs off 35 balls.
Despite early setbacks with the quick dismissals of Pratika Rawal (10 runs) and Harleen Deol (11 runs), the resilient partnership between Mandhana and Harmanpreet stabilized the innings. Mandhana, having been granted a crucial lifeline on 53 runs, capitalized fully, unleashing an aggressive display of batting.
The game’s momentum took a decisive turn following a medical break when Harmanpreet was dismissed lbw. Compounding India’s woes, Mandhana’s wicket fell in the very next over, severely impacting the team’s ability to maintain the high chase rate.
Deepti Sharma mounted a spirited late charge, scoring 72 runs off 58 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes, which kept India’s hopes flickering. Unfortunately, a consistent fall of wickets around her ultimately sealed India’s fate, preventing them from achieving the target.
Earlier in the contest, Beth Mooney’s spectacular innings laid the foundation for Australia’s imposing total. Her brilliant performance was well-supported by significant contributions from Georgia Voll (81 runs), Ellyse Perry (68 runs), and captain Alyssa Healy, who chipped in with a rapid 30.
India’s bowlers found themselves struggling on the flat Kotla pitch, unable to contain Australia’s formidable batting lineup. Alyssa Healy got off to an aggressive start, smashing seven boundaries before Kranti Goud managed to dismiss her, marking the third consecutive time Goud had taken Healy’s wicket in the series.
Capitalizing on India’s inconsistent bowling, Voll and Perry forged a robust 107-run partnership. Sneh Rana eventually provided a much-needed breakthrough, trapping Voll lbw with a well-executed leg-side sweep.
Mooney’s dominant innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, featuring an incredible 23 fours and a six. She deftly handled both spin and pace, relentlessly attacking the Indian bowlers from start to finish.
In the 45th over, Deepti Sharma sparked a late Australian collapse, claiming three crucial wickets, including the run-out of the formidable Mooney. However, despite India’s late bowling surge, Australia had already amassed a commanding total, cementing their winning position.