In the third and deciding WODI between Indiaand Australia played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday, September 20, the the visitors emerged victorious by 43 runs, to clinch the series 2-1. Batting first after winning the toss, Australia posted a humongous total of 412 in 47.5 overs. Captain Alssa Healy and her opening ally Georgie Voll gave a brisk start to the team. Both built a 43-run stand off just 26 balls. Healy departed after scoring a rapid 30 off 18 but Voll didn’t relent and stitched a 107-run stand with Ellyse Perry for the second wicket off just 101 balls. The opener concluded her knock after racking up 81 off 68.
Perry and Beth Mooney also looked ruthless and took India’s bowling attack to the cleaners. Riding on Perry’s 68 off
72 and Mooney’s 138 off 75, the joint third-fast WODI hundred in just 57 balls, Australia got a giant total of more than 400 runs. With her sensational batting display, Mooney also registered her best WODI score. In the 45th over, she got run out while stealing a run. Ashleigh Gardner, who came at number five, also collected 39 runs off just 24 balls.
Smriti Mandhana’s courageous ton went in vain as India fell short in the chase
Pursuing the mammoth target, India lost opener Pratika Rawal in the fourth over but Smriti Mandhana didn’t lose hope and played some exceptional shots. With Harleen Deol and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, she stitched crucial partnerships which delivered cheers to India supporters. Mandhana also brought up her hundred in just 50 balls. With this knock, she became the batter with the second fastest WODI ton and the fastest among Indian batters.
Harmanpreet also showcased her mettle and slammed 52 off 35. Smriti and Kaur built a 121-run stand for the third wicket off just 69 deliveries. However, following the dismissals of both veterans, India’s innings collapsed. Deepti Sharma played the belligerent innings of 72 off 58 but that wasn’t enough for the home side to win the match and series as the hosts got bundled out on 369 runs in 47 overs.
In Australia’s magnificent 43-run victory, Beth Mooney became the player of the match (POTM) for her stunning performance. Mandhana emerged as the player of the series for becoming the highest run-scorer in the tournament with 300 runs in three outings.
