India suffered a heartbreaking 43-run defeat in the third ODI against Australia. The loss handed the visitors a 2-1 series victory. It was a tough day for the hosts despite some heroic individual efforts. The match took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.
Smriti Mandhana delivered a record-breaking performance. She blasted her 13th ODI century in just 50 balls. That equals the joint-second fastest ton in women’s ODIs. It is also the fastest for India, showcasing her incredible talent.
Chasing a massive target of 413 runs, India needed a strong start. Unfortunately, openers Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol fell early. They scored 10 and 11 runs respectively, failing to make a significant impact in this high-scoring contest.
Mandhana took charge and kept India’s hopes alive. She played with flamboyance and aggression from the outset. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur supported her well, playing a steadying role. Together, they built a crucial 121-run partnership.
During their stand, Mandhana reached her milestone. She hit a towering six off Alana King in the 18th over. That shot brought up her joint-fastest century in women’s ODIs. The crowd erupted in applause for her spectacular achievement.
Harmanpreet also found her rhythm, scoring a fifty off just 32 balls. She cut the ball for a boundary to reach the milestone. With that shot, she completed 8,000 runs across all formats. However, she appeared to be struggling with cramps later.
Physios came out to treat Harmanpreet just before her dismissal. That brief pause seemed to break her concentration. She was then pinned in front of the stumps by Kim Garth. Her wicket was a major blow for India.
Mandhana followed soon after, scoring 125 off 63 balls. She hit a shot straight into Ashleigh Gardner’s hands off Grace Harris. Her dismissal left a huge gap in the batting lineup. India’s chances took a severe hit at that point.
Richa Ghosh was run out after a quick six off just six balls. Radha Yadav also fell to Georgia Wareham. The middle order crumbled under pressure. It seemed like all hope was lost for the home team.
Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana then launched a stunning counterattack. Deepti smashed a rollicking 72 off 58 deliveries. Sneh provided excellent support with 35 off 41 balls. Their partnership revived India’s hopes momentarily.
However, the late surge eventually fizzled out. Tahlia McGrath removed Deepti to break the stand. Sneh stayed for a while but fell to Megan Schutt. Kim Garth then dismissed Renuka Singh Thakur to end the innings.
India was bowled out for 369 in 47 overs. That is their highest total in women’s ODIs, yet it wasn’t enough. The batting collapse in the final stages cost them dearly. Australia’s bowlers held their nerve brilliantly.
Earlier, Australia posted a mammoth 412 after winning the toss. Captain Alyssa Healy and Georgia Voll gave them a flying start. They put on 43 runs in just 4.2 overs before Healy fell for 30 off 18 balls.
Voll then took over, scoring a rapid 81 off 68 deliveries. She partnered with Ellyse Perry, who made a composed 68 off 72 balls. Their 107-run stand set a solid foundation for the big total.
Beth Mooney was the star with a breathtaking 138 off just 75 balls. She celebrated her century in 57 deliveries, matching Karen Rolton’s record. Her innings included a fusillade of boundaries all around the ground.
Ashleigh Gardner played a fiery cameo of 39 off 24 balls. Mooney’s run out triggered a mini collapse, but Australia still managed 412. It is the sixth-highest total in women’s ODI history.
Arundhati Reddy was the pick of India’s bowlers, taking 3-86. Despite her efforts, the bowlers struggled on a flat pitch. The conditions favored batsmen throughout the day.
This match will be remembered for Mandhana’s brilliant ton. It was a record-breaking innings that showcased her class. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to secure a win for her team. Australia proved too strong in the end.