New Chandigarh, September 17 (Sports Desk)
In a historic triumph at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, India Women leveled the three-match ODI series against Australia Women with a commanding 102-run victory. Riding on Smriti Mandhana’s sublime 12th ODI century, India posted 292 before their bowlers, led by Renuka Singh Thakur (3/28), orchestrated a clinical demolition to bundle out Australia for 190. This win marks India’s first home ODI victory over Australia since 2007—after an 18-year, 206-day drought—igniting hopes for a series decider in the third ODI on September 20. The result boosts India’s NRR to +1.450, keeping them in contention for momentum ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.
Toss and Pitch Report
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first on a balanced Mullanpur pitch that offered early seam movement but eased out for batting under lights. The surface favored strokeplay in the middle overs, with a par score around 260-280, though dew could assist chasers later. Weather was clear and humid, with no interruptions. Australia rested Alyssa Healy, bringing in Beth Mooney to open, while India persisted with their spin-heavy attack post their first ODI loss.
India Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani. Australia Playing XI: Beth Mooney (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath, Ash Gardner, Alana King, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Georgia Wareham.
India Innings: Mandhana’s Masterclass Powers 292
India’s innings exploded after a cautious start, reaching 292/7 in 50 overs, their highest ODI total against Australia at home since 2012. Openers Smriti Mandhana (117 off 91, 12×4, 4×6) and Shafali Verma (29 off 35, 4×4) added 66 in 12 overs before Verma fell to Darcie Brown’s inswinger. Mandhana, promoted to aggressor in Shafali’s absence from ODIs, unleashed a barrage, reaching her century in just 77 balls—her second-fastest in ODIs and the quickest by an Indian woman since Mithali Raj’s 79-ball ton in 2017. She now has 13 ODI centuries, trailing only Meg Lanning (15) and Suzie Bates (13).
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Harmanpreet Kaur (22 off 28) and Jemimah Rodrigues (35 off 42) struggled against Australia’s tactics, with Pratika Rawal (20 off 32, mostly dots) and Harleen Deol (0 off 19) facing a maiden from Alana King. Deepti Sharma (40 off 53, 2×4) provided stability, adding 62 with Mandhana for the fifth wicket before falling to Ash Gardner. Late cameos from Amanjot Kaur (28 off 20, 3×4) and Renuka (15* off 10) pushed the total past 290, despite Darcie Brown’s 3/42 and Gardner’s 2/39. India hit 24 boundaries and 5 sixes, capitalizing on a flat track.
Key Performances (India Batting)
- Smriti Mandhana: 117 (91 balls, 12×4, 4×6) – Blistering ton; dominated spin and pace.
- Deepti Sharma: 40 (53 balls, 2×4) – Anchored middle order; all-round impact.
- Amanjot Kaur: 28 (20 balls, 3×4) – Quickfire finish.
Australia Bowling
- Darcie Brown: 3/42 (10 overs) – Swing and seam; early breakthroughs.
- Ash Gardner: 2/39 (10 overs) – Off-spin variations; dismissed Deepti.
- Megan Schutt: 1/48 (10 overs) – Economical but leaked late runs.
Australia Innings: Indian Bowlers Seal Emphatic Win
Chasing 293, Australia crumbled to 190 all out in 43.2 overs, their lowest ODI total against India since 2012. Openers Beth Mooney (15 off 22) and Phoebe Litchfield (12 off 18) managed 27 before Renuka’s outswinger bowled Mooney. Ellyse Perry (44 off 58, 5×4) and Annabel Sutherland (45 off 52, 4×4, 1×6) rebuilt with an 89-run stand, but Deepti Sharma (2/24) broke through, trapping Perry lbw. Sutherland fell to Renuka, caught at midwicket, leaving Australia at 112/4.
Tahlia McGrath (20 off 28) and Ash Gardner (18 off 25) added 38, but Sree Charani (2/35) and Radha Yadav (1/30) squeezed the middle order. Renuka’s cutters dismantled the tail, with Australia losing their last six wickets for 78 runs. India dropped two catches but effected two run-outs, showcasing sharp fielding.
Key Performances (Australia Batting)
- Annabel Sutherland: 45 (52 balls, 4×4, 1×6) – Top-scored; fought valiantly.
- Ellyse Perry: 44 (58 balls, 5×4) – Steady but couldn’t accelerate.
- Overall: No fifty; spinners choked run flow.
India Bowling
- Renuka Singh Thakur: 3/28 (9.2 overs) – Swing and cutters; Player of the Match contender.
- Deepti Sharma: 2/24 (10 overs) – Off-spin mastery; economical.
- Sree Charani: 2/35 (8 overs) – Varied pace; middle-order breakthroughs.
Post-Match Comments
- Harmanpreet Kaur (India Captain): “Mandhana’s ton was special—her aggression changed the game. Our bowlers executed perfectly on a tricky pitch. We’re building momentum for the decider.”
- Alyssa Healy (Australia Captain): “Mandhana outplayed us today. Credit to India’s spinners—they squeezed us. We’ll regroup for the final ODI.”
- Smriti Mandhana (Player of the Match): “The century was for the team. Breaking the drought feels amazing—now for the series win.”
Impact and Outlook
This victory ends a 18-year home ODI jinx against Australia (last win: 2007), giving India a psychological edge in the series decider on September 20 in Vadodara. Australia, aiming to seal the series, must regroup after their biggest ODI defeat to India. The match, broadcast on Sony Sports and streamed on SonyLIV, drew 25,000 fans, celebrating Mandhana’s milestone.
Key Stats
- Mandhana’s 117: Her 12th ODI ton; 2nd-fastest for India (77 balls).
- Australia’s 190: Lowest vs India in ODIs since 2012 (164).
- India’s 102-run win: Largest margin vs Australia in women’s ODIs.
India’s all-round show signals World Cup readiness, while Australia eyes a bounce-back.
