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Mandhana’s Show Not Enough As Australia Prevail In High-Scoring Series Decider

Kaushik Kashyap

Australia Women beat India Women in 3rd ODI. [Source - BCCI.COM]Australia Women beat India Women in 3rd ODI. [Source - BCCI.COM]

On the back of a dominant batting display backed by a disciplined bowling effort, Australia Women defeated India Women by 43 runs in the 3rd ODI at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, September 20. With this win, Australia clinched the three-match series 2-1, showcasing their all-round ability in the high-octane series decider.

Here, we take a look at the entire highlights of the 3rd ODI of the three-match series between India Women and Australia Women, as it panned out at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, September 20.

Mooney’s Masterclass Powers Australia to Record-breaking total

After winning the toss, Australia chose to bat first and justified their decision by smashing a colossal 412 runs on a scorching Delhi afternoon, shattering multiple records. It all started with captain Alyssa Healy giving them a blazing start, followed by Ellyse Perry and Georgia Voll’s crucial 107-run partnership for the second wicket.

Voll did the major damage with a blistering 81-run knock with Australia having already set a strong platform at 178/2 by the halfway mark. Perry also added 68 before departing, while Beth Mooney, at five, unleashed a spectacular innings, tearing apart the Indian bowling and completed her century in just 57 balls, making it Australia’s second fastest ODI hundred.

The left-hander ended up scoring 138 off just 75 balls, including 23 fours and a six. The lower order contributed quick runs as well, pushing the total past 400. India fought back late, with Deepti Sharma final over being the game-changer which also included a crucial Mooney run-out. The pacers took the rest of the wickets to wrap things quickly, restricting Australia to do further damage.

India Fall Short Despite Mandhana Early Fireworks

Chasing the mountain of 413-run target, Smriti Mandhana gave India a dream start as she tore into Australia’s new-ball attack, smashing a record 23-ball fifty, the fastest for India women in ODIs and powering India to their best-ever powerplay score of 96/2. Post powerplay, Mandhana continued her carnage while captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined the assault, building a dominant partnership.

India looked in control as Mandhana smashed the fastest ODI hundred by an Indian in just 50 balls, propelling the team past 200 in just 20 overs and turning the chase into a real threat for Australia. Australia badly needed a breakthrough, and things changed when Harmanpreet suffered a cramp which resulted in a break in India’s momentum.

The very first ball after receiving treatment sent the Indian captain back in the hut, and soon after, Mandhana fell for a breathtaking 125 off 63 balls. Australia regained control as the run rate dipped and wickets fell regularly. Deepti Sharma, however, held one end, but lost her resistance after a well made 72. Eventually, India got bowled out for 369 and Australia took the series home.