India created history in New Chandigarh on Wednesday as they handed Australia their heaviest-ever defeat in women’s ODIs, winning by 102 runs to level the three-match series 1-1. India's victory was possible after Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant ton.
Meanwhile, the home team was coming off a heavy loss in the series opener at the same venue. For the second game, India was without Jemimah Rodrigues, who was ruled out of the series with viral fever. Opting to field first, Australia believed it could capitalize
on the conditions. However, Mandhana came out all guns blazing and raced to a 45-ball fifty.
With Shafali Verma no longer part of the ODI setup, Mandhana took up the role of aggressor. She eventually reached her 12th ODI century in just 77 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian. Her 91-ball 117, laced with 14 fours and four sixes. The rest of India’s batting unit also contributed, including Deepti Sharma (40 off 53) being the next-best contributor as the Women in Blue reached 292, their highest-ever total against Australia. However, a collapse in the final stages saw India lose their last six wickets for just 53 runs.
Chasing 293, Australia failed to get a strong start. Georgia Voll, replacing the injured Phoebe Litchfield, departed for a duck, and captain Alyssa Healy followed soon after. Renuka Singh and Kranti Goud kept putting pressure with the new ball. Ellyse Perry (44) and Annabel Sutherland (45) attempted to stabilize the ship, but the required run rate kept ticking.
Beth Mooney’s innings ended when she was caught in the deep, and once Perry fell to Radha Yadav, Australia’s chances diminished quickly. Deepti Sharma removed Gardner and McGrath, while Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav chipped in with important breakthroughs. Goud finished with 3 for 28, sealing an emphatic win as Australia were bundled for 190 in 40.5 overs.
Notably, this win ended India’s 18-year wait for a home ODI win over Australia, their first since 2007. Mandhana’s century and a strong bowling display handed the team their biggest-ever ODI defeat. With the series now level at 1-1, the teams will travel to New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium for Saturday’s decider.
