IND-W vs AUS-W, 3rd ODI: Australia edge out India in 781-run ODI epic, Smriti Mandhana’s fiery century not enough to stop 2-1 series loss

India vice captain Smriti Mandhana played one of the best innings of her career, but it was not enough to take the hosts over the line in the final ODI against Australia on Saturday. Chasing a mammoth 412 runs, India lost the clash by 43 runs, and Australia claimed the series 2-1.

Australia created history, smashing 412 runs, which was their joint-highest score in women’s ODI history. While chasing, India gave a strong fight, thanks to Mandhana’s brilliant century. She scored 125 runs off just 63 balls, hitting 17 fours and 5 sixes. She reached her hundred in just 50 balls, making it the second-fastest century ever in women’s ODIs. Only Meg Lanning has scored a faster one, getting there in 45 balls against New Zealand. Mandhana also broke Karen Rolton’s long-standing record of a 57-ball century from 2001.

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India were looking in control when Mandhana was at the crease, but after her dismissal, the momentum of the game shifted. The rest of the batters couldn’t keep up with the required run rate. India were eventually all out for 369 in 47 overs.

Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana tried to bring India back into the game with a solid 65-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Deepti made 72 runs from 58 balls, but once she was dismissed, the lower order couldn’t keep the chase alive.

Earlier, Australia’s batting was led by Beth Mooney, who played a stunning innings. She scored 138 runs off just 75 balls, hitting 23 fours and one six. This was her fourth century in ODI cricket. She got good support from Ellyse Perry, who made 68, and Georgia Voll, who gave the team a strong start with 81 runs.

Mooney and Perry put on a 106-run partnership for the third wicket, which helped Australia build their huge total. India fought hard, especially with Mandhana’s incredible knock, but in the end, the target was just too big.

Brief Score:

Australia 412 all out in 47.5 overs (Alyssa Healy 30, Georgia Voll 81, Ellyse Perry 68, Beth Mooney 138, Ashleigh Gardner 39; Deepti Sharma 2/75, Arundhati Reddy 3/86).

India: 369 all out in 47 overs (Smriti Mandhana 125, Harmanpreet Kaur 52, Deepti Sharma 72, Sneh Rana 35; Kim Garth 3/69, Megan Schutt 2/53).