India Women Thrash Australia by 102 Runs in Thrilling ODI, Level Series 1-1
In a dominant display at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, India Women scripted a stunning comeback against Australia Women. Opener Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant 117 powered India to 292, and their bowlers then ran through the Aussie batting line-up to seal a massive 102-run victory on Wednesday. This win levels the three-match women’s ODI series 1-1 and sets up an exciting decider in New Delhi this Saturday.
India batted first after losing the toss, and Smriti Mandhana stole the show with a classy century. She smashed 117 off just 91 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes, reaching her ton in a blistering 77 deliveries—the second-fastest by an Indian woman in ODIs. Fans loved her aggressive style, especially how she targeted the leg side this time, unlike her usual off-side flair. At one point, India eyed 320-plus, but the rest of the batters couldn’t build on her effort.
Pratika Rawal gave a solid start with 32 off 25 balls, partnering Smriti for a 64-run powerplay stand before falling to Ashleigh Gardner. Harleen Deol managed just 10, run out in a mix-up, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur scored 17 before slicing one to backward point. Smriti kept the momentum going, hitting her fifty in 45 balls with a huge six and her century with another majestic hit over mid-off. She finally departed, caught in the deep off Tahlia McGrath.
With India at 235/4 after 40 overs, a big total seemed on the cards. But Australia’s bowlers fought back smartly. Darcie Brown took 3-42, including quick strikes to remove Arundhati Reddy and Deepti Sharma (who made a steady 40 off 53). Annabel Sutherland’s slower balls in the death overs restricted India to 292 in 49.5 overs. Richa Ghosh and Deepti added 47 runs, but Australia held firm despite missing the over-rate and facing fielding restrictions.
Australia’s chase of 293 started poorly. Renuka Singh Thakur, back from injury and playing her first ODI since December 2023, bowled Georgia Voll for a duck. Kranti Goud then dismissed Alyssa Healy for 9. The visitors managed just 25 runs in the powerplay—their lowest in 10 overs since the 2017 World Cup—putting them under huge pressure.
Sneh Rana removed Beth Mooney for 18, and though Ellyse Perry (44) and Annabel Sutherland (45) added 46 runs, India struck back. Radha Yadav took a stunning diving catch to dismiss Perry, Arundhati Reddy got Sutherland, and Deepti Sharma claimed two wickets, including Ashleigh Gardner for 17. A run-out ended Alana King’s stay, and Kranti sealed the deal with a pinpoint yorker to bowl Georgia Wareham. Australia crumbled to 190 all out in 40.5 overs.
India’s smart move to pick six bowlers paid off big time—Kranti Goud starred with 3-28, Deepti took 2-24, and everyone chipped in with wickets. This marks India’s first home ODI win over Australia since February 2007 in Chennai, ending the visitors’ 13-match winning streak. It’s also Australia’s biggest ODI defeat by runs in women’s cricket, beating their 92-run loss to England in the 1973 World Cup final.
Compared to the first ODI, India added 11 runs but still couldn’t cross 300—their highest against Australia in women’s ODIs. Smriti’s knock and the bowling firepower turned the tide, keeping fans hooked for the series finale.
Brief scores:
India 292 all out in 49.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 117, Deepti Sharma 40; Darcie Brown 3-42, Ashleigh Gardner 2-39) beat Australia 190 all out in 40.5 overs (Annabel Sutherland 45, Ellyse Perry 44; Kranti Goud 3-28, Deepti Sharma 2-24) by 102 runs.
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