India’s women’s cricket team put up a valiant fight in the third ODI against Australia but fell short by 43 runs at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday. The hosts chased a massive 413-run target, posting 369 in 47 overs, but that wasn’t enough to avoid a 2-1 series loss to the visitors.
Smriti Mandhana lit up the match with a stunning 125 off just 63 balls, including her 13th ODI century—the fastest ever for an Indian batter and joint-second quickest in women’s ODIs. The southpaw’s explosive knock kept India’s hopes alive, but the team couldn’t quite pull off the chase.
Australia’s innings set a daunting tone after skipper Alyssa Healy won the toss and chose to bat first. Openers Healy (30 off 18) and Georgia Voll built a quick 43-run stand in just 4.2 overs before Healy holed out to Harmanpreet Kaur off Kranti Goud. Voll then took charge, smashing 81 off 68 balls in a 107-run partnership with Ellyse Perry (68 off 72). Sneh Rana broke through with Voll’s wicket, caught off a top edge.
Perry and Beth Mooney then added 106 runs for the third wicket, but Arundhati Reddy dismissed Perry. Mooney stole the show, blasting 138 off 75 balls for her century in 57 deliveries—now the third-fastest in women’s ODIs. She equalled Karen Rolton’s record with a barrage of boundaries before a run-out ended her stay. Australia collapsed from 379 for 6 to 412 all out in 47.5 overs, their sixth-highest total in women’s ODIs.
In the chase, India lost early wickets—Pratika Rawal (10) and Harleen Deol (11)—but Mandhana fired from the start. She teamed up with captain Harmanpreet Kaur for a 121-run stand. Mandhana reached her ton with a huge six off Alana King in the 18th over. Kaur smashed a quick 50 off 32 balls, hitting 8,000 career runs, but cramps slowed her down. She soon fell lbw to Kim Garth for 50.
Mandhana followed in the next over, caught by Ashleigh Gardner off Grace Harris. Richa Ghosh hit a six but got run out, and Radha Yadav fell to Georgia Wareham. Deepti Sharma kept the fight going with a blistering 72 off 58 balls, supported by Sneh Rana’s 35 off 41. Their partnership sparked late hopes, but Tahlia McGrath removed Deepti, and Megan Schutt got Rana. Kim Garth sealed it by dismissing Renuka Singh Thakur, wrapping up India’s innings at 369.
Key performers for Australia included Mooney’s match-winning century and Garth’s 3-69. For India, Mandhana’s heroic effort stood out, alongside Deepti Sharma’s fiery knock. This thrilling women’s ODI series showcased top-class cricket from both sides.
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