India’s Smriti Mandhana delivered a thrilling 125 runs off just 63 balls in a high-scoring showdown against Australia, but it wasn’t enough to pull off the chase. Australia clinched a 43-run victory in the third women’s ODI at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, wrapping up the series 2-1.
Australia set a massive target of 412 runs in 47.5 overs, thanks to Beth Mooney’s explosive 138. The Indian women showed real fight in their pursuit of 413, with Mandhana leading the charge. She smashed her way to a century in only 50 balls—the fastest by an Indian batter in women’s ODIs—featuring 17 fours and five sixes that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Deepti Sharma added a solid 72, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with 52, but key wickets tumbled at crucial moments. Australia’s bowlers stayed cool under pressure, dismissing India for 369 in 47 overs.
This match broke records, becoming the highest-scoring women’s ODI ever with 748 runs total—beating the old mark of 678 from England vs. South Africa in 2017. It included a whopping 99 fours and 12 sixes. India also made history by crossing 300 in a chase against Australia for the first time in women’s ODIs.
Mandhana wasted no time, starting with elegant drives and pulls against Kim Garth and Megan Schutt for early boundaries. Even after Pratika Rawal fell for 10, she powered on, hitting off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner for a six and more fours. She reached her fifty in a blistering 23 balls—the quickest half-century by an Indian in the format—drawing huge cheers from the packed crowd.
Harleen Deol departed for 11 soon after, but Mandhana got a lucky break when Grace Harris dropped her at mid-off. India raced to 96 for 2 in the powerplay, their best ever in women’s ODIs, as Mandhana and Harmanpreet traded beautiful boundaries.
Mandhana hit her ton with a slog-sweep six off Alana King, raising her bat to roaring applause. Harmanpreet followed with her fifty in 32 balls, cutting Grace Harris for four. Their 121-run partnership had Australia worried.
But Harmanpreet slowed after treatment for a knee issue and fell lbw to Garth for 52. Moments later, Mandhana edged a pull off a full toss from Harris and got caught for 125, silencing the stadium.
Deepti kept the fight alive with her 15th ODI fifty in 42 balls, finding support from Sneh Rana in a 65-run stand. Richa Ghosh hit some big shots too, but Australia fought back hard. Deepti holed out for 72, Sneh got stumped, and the lower order couldn’t hold on as Renuka Singh fell to Garth.
Despite the loss, India’s spirited chase highlighted their growing strength in women’s cricket.
Brief scores: Australia 412 all out in 47.5 overs (Beth Mooney 138, Georgia Voll 81; Arundhati Reddy 3-86, Deepti Sharma 2-75) beat India 369 all out in 47 overs (Smriti Mandhana 125, Deepti Sharma 72; Kim Garth 3-69, Megan Schutt 2-53) by 43 runs.
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