Australia women eked out a three-run victory over Harmanpreet Kaur's India in a thrilling second ODI that went down to the wire at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on December 30, Saturday. With this Australia clinched the three-match ODI series 2-0 with a match to spare. India rode on Deepti Sharma's brilliant fifer to restrict Australia to 258/8, despite Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry's impressive fifties.
While chasing a challenging 259-run target, everything was going smooth for India as Richa Ghosh was well on her course to steer the Women in Blue to victory. But Annabel Sutherland turned the match on its head after dismissing the dangerous looking Richa, who fell for 96. After Ghosh's wicket it was all over for India. Deepti did try to put on a fight but even her unbeaten 24 couldn't change the face of the match as Australian bowlers held their nerves at the end to stymie Indian batters.
In pursuit of 259, India's innings faced an early setback when opener Yastika Bhatia (14) was dismissed LBW by Kim Garth. Following her departure, Richa Ghosh took charge of the Indian chase, crafting a dynamic 96 with 13 fours. She formed a 34-run partnership with Smriti Mandhana (34 off 38 balls). However, after Mandhana's dismissal, Richa found a reliable partner in Jemimah Rodrigues (44 off 55 balls), who struck three boundaries. Rodrigues played a supportive role, helping Richa forge an 88-run stand for the third wicket.
The partnership was disrupted when Jemimah was spectacularly caught by Phoebe Litchfield, and soon after, Harmanpreet Kaur (5) also departed. Following Richa's fall in the 44th over, the responsibility shifted to Deepti Sharma (24 not out). However, with India losing three quick wickets, Deepti ran out of partners. Australian bowler Annabel Sutherland (3 for 47), the standout performer, thwarted India's chances of victory. Debutant Shriyanka Patil managed a boundary on the final ball, but it was insufficient to alter the outcome.
Earlier, Deepti's impressive five-wicket haul briefly halted Australia's momentum, but India's seven dropped catches allowed the visitors to set a formidable target of 258/8. On a dry, turning pitch, Deepti showcased her skills with figures of five for 38. However, India's fielding let them down, undermining her efforts.
Deepti's victims included Ellyse Perry (50), Beth Mooney (10), Tahlia McGrath (24), Georgia Wareham (22), and Annabel Sutherland (23), marking her second five-wicket haul in her career. Alana King, who was dropped twice, once by Deepti and then by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, capitalized with a brisk 28 not out off 17 balls, including three sixes, propelling Australia over the 250-run mark.
Australia was cruising at 117 for one, thanks to a 77-run partnership between Perry and Phoebe Litchfield (63). However, Deepti's introduction into the attack turned the tide for India.
Perry reached a quick fifty but was soon dismissed by Deepti, starting her wicket-taking spree. Perry attempted a pull shot but was caught by debutant Shreyanka Patil.
Deepti consistently troubled Mooney with sharp turn, eventually trapping her LBW. She later bowled McGrath, caught Wareham on the first ball of the 46th over, and took a return catch to dismiss Sutherland.
In the meantime, Sneh Rana, who had to leave the field after a collision with Pooja Vastrakar, claimed Ashleigh Gardner's wicket.
However, India's fielding was a letdown. Litchfield was dropped twice early in her innings, and Perry was also dropped by Rana. Smriti Mandhana missed an easy catch, and India failed to capitalize on a DRS opportunity against Alyssa Healy. Vastrakar did manage to dismiss Healy, cleaning up the Australian captain for 13 in the 10th over.
Now India and Australia will lock horns with each other in the third ODI, which will be a dead rubber, as it will be played on January 2, 2024.
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