India Women vs Australia Women, 3rd ODI Highlights: Australia Beat India by 43 Runs Despite Historic Chase Attempt
Cricket fans in Delhi watched history as the India Women's cricket team came agonisingly close to chasing down a massive mark of 413 against Australia in the third and final one-day international at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Smriti Mandhana lit up the pitch with her spectacular century in the most run-filled women's ODI ever, but India fell short by 43 runs, giving Australia another bilateral series triumph.
Australia, batting first, laid the groundwork for a record-breaking match by scoring 412 runs, their joint-highest total in women's ODIs. Beth Mooney's magnificent 138 off 75 balls was the highlight of the innings, with Ellyse Perry's solid 68 and Georgia Voll's explosive 81 providing support. Their dominant partnerships put India under immediate strain, even playing in front of a raucous home crowd. The innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, and the Indian bowlers struggled to find solutions on a flat, batter-friendly pitch.
Chasing 413, India knew they needed a brave start, and Smriti Mandhana exceeded expectations. The left-handed opener delivered one of the finest innings in women's cricket, scoring a century in just 50 balls and breaking the record for the fastest ODI century by an Indian cricketer in both men's and women's cricket. Her 125 off 63 balls, which included 17 fours and five sixes, gave India actual hope of achieving the impossible. Along with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored a fluent half-century, India appeared to be on track as they raced to 204/2 in 20 overs.
However, the pursuit stalled with Mandhana's dismissal. Australia seized control with disciplined bowling, particularly from Kim Garth, who removed important hitters and took three crucial wickets. India fell from a position of strength to 261/6, and despite Deepti Sharma (72 off 58) and Sneh Rana (41) attempting to resuscitate the innings with a tenacious 65-run partnership, the mountain proved too difficult to climb. The team was bowled out for 369 in 47 overs, falling short despite their valiant efforts.
The match was about more than just individual accomplishments; it was also about the progress of women's cricket in general. With nearly 800 runs scored in a single ODI, it became the biggest aggregate ever recorded in women's cricket. The crowd was treated to a spectacle that highlighted both India's burgeoning batting depth and Australia's unparalleled consistency on the international stage. While the Indian team will be unhappy at missing out on a historic triumph, Mandhana's dominance, combined with positive performances from Deepti and Rana, will boost their confidence ahead of the Women's World Cup.
Australia, on the other hand, strengthened their position as the most dominant team in women's cricket. Led by Alyssa Healy's astute captaincy, they not only extended their unbeaten streak in bilateral ODIs against India, but also garnered significant momentum heading into the World Cup. Healy lauded her team's versatility and expressed optimism that this performance will serve as a springboard for their title hopes.
India may not have won, but their performance has brought enthusiasm to the women's game, demonstrating that they can play with the best. As the World Cup begins later this month, this series could be regarded as the flame that ignited India's campaign, transforming them into a dangerous competitor on home turf.