Two stunning innings, on either side of the interval on a mad Saturday, provided the best advertisement for the upcoming women’s cricket World Cup.
Beth Mooney’s 75-ball 138 (23×4, 1×6) had virtually sealed a series-winning victory for Australia against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Australia had made 412 — 110 runs more than the target set in the highest successful chase in women’s ODIs.
But, for the first 20 overs of the Indian innings, the impossible looked possible.
India opener Smriti Mandhana was batting as if she was in a dream. She had made 58 and 117 in the last two matches and had looked fluent while making those runs.
On this night, she was a cut above the rest.
AS IT HAPPENED | IND-W vs AUS-W Highlights, 3rd ODI
The left-handed stylist charmed the fairly-filled stands with a breathtaking display of shots. She found her touch straightaway, and her bat soon began to look more like a magical wand, as she came up with one gorgeous shot after another.
The Australians were dazed.
At the end of the 20 overs, the host was 204 for two. With skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (52, 35b, 8×4) finally finding her form, the Indians, were threatening to make history in more ways than one.
But, Harmanpreet was trapped in front by Kim Garth, ending the 121-run stand for the third wicket. In the very next over, the vice-captain followed her captain to the dressing room: Smriti, trying to pull a full toss, was caught at deep square-leg off Grace Harris.
Earlier, Smriti’s hundred came off 50 balls. Only former Australian captain Meg Lanning has made a faster century in women’s ODIs — off 45 balls.
After the setbacks, Deepti Sharma (72, 58b, 5×4, 2×6) waged a brave battle, but the target was going to be too daunting.
Smriti’s hundred came off 50 balls. Only former Australian captain Meg Lanning has made a faster century in women’s ODIs — off 45 balls.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Smriti’s hundred came off 50 balls. Only former Australian captain Meg Lanning has made a faster century in women’s ODIs — off 45 balls.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
In the afternoon, Mooney played the star role in Australia’s spectacular batting show. And she was a woman in a hurry. She had come into this match with a strike-rate of nearly 86, but in this innings she struck at 184.
After captain Alyssa Healy (30, 18b, 7×4) fell to Kranti Goud for the third time in the series, fellow-opener Georgia Voll (81, 68b, 14×4), Ellyse Perry (68, 72b, 7×4, 2×6) and Gardner (39, 24b, 5×4, 1×6) all went after the Indian bowlers, who had called the shots in the second ODI at New Chandigarh.
With this win, the Aussies have maintained their unbeaten record in bilateral series against India, dating back to 1984.
Published on Sep 20, 2025
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