The Indian team were on a history-making mission on Sunday (October 12). Right from Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal’s huge opening stand, almost every over brought a new individual or partnership record.
A team record was scripted as well: India’s innings score of 330/10 in the 50 overs is the highest-ever against Australia in a World Cup match in women’s cricket’s vast history.
Before Sunday, the seven-time champions had never conceded more than 300 runs in a World Cup innings. England had managed the best score of 298/8 in 2022 in Hamilton, while India had scored 281/4 in Derby in 2017, which included that famous Harmanpreet Kaur 171 in the semi-final.
Australia, with their depth in every department, supreme fielding skills, and experience
of winning the big matches, just don’t concede too many runs. That’s true for men’s cricket, too. In fact, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team’s total would rank fourth for the highest scores against Australia in men’s 50-over World Cups, too.
Mandhana (80) and Rawal (75)’s batting led the foundation in Vizag. The openers shared a 155-run partnership on the batting-friendly pitch. Mandhana’s elegant yet aggressive approach, including a six off Sophie Molineux, complemented Rawal’s precise shot-making.
Despite losing momentum mid-innings with quick wickets, contributions from Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues pushed India past 330. Australia’s bowlers struggled in the heat initially but did well later on to prevent India from playing all 50 overs, with Annabel Sutherland shining the brightest with a five-wicket haul.
“Very happy that we had that 100-run partnership,” Rawal said in the mid-innings break. “Smriti likes to go in a way that is very entertaining. Happy that I got a decent start. I was struggling in between as there were lot of dot balls. But I’m happy that I was able to convert it into a big total. Everyone chipped in well. I just like to play the ball on merit. Just take on the shots that are in my area.”
Australia requires 331 runs to win. They’d need to surpass their own record of the highest total chased in a World Cup — 280/4 in 49.3 overs against India in Auckland in 2022 — and Sri Lanka’s record of the ighest-ever chase in the format — 302/4 against South Africa in 2024 — to come out with all available points.
