India were handed their second consecutive defeat in the ongoing Women's World Cup, but captain Harmanpreet Kaur doesn't look much bothered by the loss. Australia made the light work of India's towering 331-run target and recorded the highest successful chase in the history of women's ODIs, thanks to captain's knock from Alyssa Healy, who cracked a match-winning 142 off 107.
Harmanpreet Kaur reacts to India's heartbreaking defeat against Australia
Following India's three-wicket defeat, Harmanpreet said two bad games are not going to make a difference. And if we look at it, India, having lost two of their four matches, have a challenging task ahead as they will be facing England and New Zealand. They will then take on Bangladesh, but if then want to make their way to the semifinal.
"The way we started, we could have added more 30-40 runs. We missed runs in the last six overs and that cost us. Knew it was a good batting wicket, but not batting well in the last six overs cost us. Openers have been outstanding, because of them we have been scoring 300 runs. The last five overs cost us. Last three games we were not able to bat in the middle overs. Our lower order took responsibility. Today the first 40 overs were good," Harmanpreet said at the post-match presentation.
"It is important how we come back, these things happen. [Charani] She has been outstanding. Today also she bowled well to their batters. Even when Healy was batting, she was not giving anything easily. We have a lot of hope from her to give breakthroughs. [Five bowlers] We'll sit and discuss. This combination has given us success. Two bad games are not going to make a difference," she added.
Mandhana's batting exploits in vain
Earlier, after Australia elected to bowl, India compiled a formidable total of 330. During the innings, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana became the first player in women's ODIs to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year. However, India experienced a significant collapse toward the end, losing their last six wickets for just 36 runs in seven overs, sliding from a dominant 294/4. Annabel Sutherland (5/40) was the chief destroyer, claiming her maiden five-wicket haul by running through the lower order, with Sophie Molineux (3/75) providing excellent support as India was bowled out in 48.5 overs.
Healy powers Australia's record chase
In pursuit of the highest target ever successfully chased in women’s ODI history, Healy set an aggressive tone, bringing up her sixth career hundred—and her first as captain—off just 84 balls. Her brilliant innings, which included 21 fours and 3 sixes, finally concluded on a superb 142 off 107 balls when Sneh Rana took a stunning one-handed catch at backward point, giving India a late glimmer of hope at 276/5. However, experienced all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who had previously retired hurt at the end of the 24th over, returned to the crease and expertly steered her side home with an unbeaten 47 off 52 balls. Australia completed the history-making chase in 49 overs, with one over to spare.