IND-W vs AUS-W, 2nd ODI: India’s all-round effort hands Australia its heaviest defeat to level series 1-1

A win against Australia in women’s cricket is always special but India’s 102-run victory in the second ODI is more than special.

This was India’s first ODI victory at home against the undisputed queens of international cricket in 18 years. And it was four years ago in Mackay that India won an ODI against them.

With the World Cup starting in less than a fortnight’s time, this win assumes even more significance.

After the crushing eight-wicket defeat in the first match, the Women in Blue needed to bounce back. And they did so in style, in front of a small but noisy crowd at the PCA Stadium on Wednesday night.

AS IT HAPPENED | India-W vs Australia-W 2nd ODI Highlights

This was Australia’s biggest defeat, by runs, and it ended India’s eight-game losing streak against Australia in ODIs.

The win was fashioned by a brisk hundred from the classy Smriti Mandhana (117, 91b, 14×4, 4×6). Her 12th ODI hundred — she broke her own record for the fastest tob by an Indian — helped India post 292. That is India’s highest ever total against the Australians, an improvement by 11 runs from the first ODI.

No total is safe against the powerful Australian batting line-up, but a steady all-round bowling effort by a revamped Indian attack, boosted by the return of Renuka Singh, meant the chase was hardly on. That was also because of a much better fielding effort by the Indians after their disappointing show a couple of days ago.

The way Radha Yadav caught Ellyse Perry off her own bowling summed up India’s show. One, of course, expects such efforts from the talented fielder.

With the host defending 292, the breakthrough was provided by Renuka, playing her first match for India since last December: she had Voll dragging an inside edge to the stumps.

After the loss of openers Alyssa Healy and Voll inside five overs, it was Perry (44, 61b, 5×4) who led the visitor’s fightback. The all-rounder’s dismissal was crucial.

Once Annabel Sutherland (45, 42b, 4×4) was caught well at extra cover by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur off Arundhati Reddy, Australia’s hopes began to fade.

Earlier, Smriti did the heavy lifting with a solo effort. Usually peppering the off-side with elan, she also found the leg-side with great ease. The only other to touch 30 was Deepti Sharma (40, 53b, 2×4).

Smriti and Pratika had given Indian another fine start — 70, which came off in just 11 overs.

Published on Sep 17, 2025