Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India registered a historic 102-run win over Australia women in their second ODI at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh on Wednesday, September 17 in a perfect preparation for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2025.
India women crush Australia women by 102 runs
Thus, Indian women's cricket team became the first team in the world to defeat Australia by a margin of more than 100 runs in ODIs. The previous largest winning margin against Australia in an ODI by runs was 92, held by England. For India, their previous biggest win against Australia was an 88-run victory back on December 28, 2004, in Chennai. Leading the charge for India was opener Smriti Mandhana, who burnt bright with a dazzling 117 off 91 balls, featuring 14 fours and 4 sixes to help India post their highest ODI total against Australia in women's ODI in Mullnapur.
In reply, Australian batters perished under pressure and were eventually bowled out for a paltry 190, thanks to Kranti Goud's terrific three-fer. With this India levelled the three-match series 1-1 with a match to spare.
The third and last ODI between India and Australia on September 20.
Smriti Mandhana runs riot with sizzling century
India started their innings on a strong note after being asked to bat first on a day favorable for batters in New Chandigarh. The team made a flying start, scoring 64 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. Smriti Mandhana was the main aggressor, while her opening partner, Pratika Rawal, got a good start but failed to convert it, falling after a 70-run opening partnership. Harleen Deol then came to the crease, but after a difficult stay, she was unfortunately run out.
Mandhana, who was in sublime form, kept the runs flowing with a steady stream of boundaries. Harmanpreet Kaur also departed cheaply after hitting a couple of shots before the halfway mark. Despite India maintaining a good scoring rate and eyeing a total over 300, wickets continued to fall at the other end, with Mandhana being the lone anchor. The left-hander reached her 12th ODI century in just 77 balls, making it the second-fastest hundred for an Indian woman in ODIs.
Australia was desperate for the key wicket, and Tahlia McGrath provided the breakthrough by dismissing Mandhana for 117. After her dismissal, India struggled to form partnerships. However, crucial late-order contributions from Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and Sneh Rana helped the team reach a respectable total of 292. For Australia, Darcie Brown was the most successful bowler with three wickets. Ashleigh Gardner also bowled a tight spell and took two wickets, helping to restrict India to a score below 300.
Kranti Goud breaks Australia's back
Chasing a target of 293, Australia's innings got off to a difficult start. India's new-ball bowlers, Kranti Goud and Renuka Thakur, were in fine form, reducing Australia to 25 for 2 within the first 10 overs. Both Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney struggled to find their rhythm, and a contrast to her dominant performance in the previous match, Mooney was eventually dismissed by Sneh Rana.
The Australian middle order was unable to build momentum, as India's bowlers maintained a tight grip on the run rate and consistently took wickets. As the required run rate climbed, it forced the Australian batters to make mistakes. Neither Perry nor Annabel Sutherland were able to capitalize on their slow starts, and their innings came to an end without making a significant impact. With 158 runs needed from the last 20 overs, Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath attempted to stabilize the chase. However, Deepti Sharma struck twice to break their partnership, swinging the momentum decisively in India's favor. Kranti Goud then returned to the attack and wreaked havoc, claiming two quick wickets and causing a run-out to end Australia's innings at 190. This commanding 102-run victory marked Australia's largest-ever defeat by runs in an ODI.