Australia Women have extended their unbroken streak in bilateral ODIs against India, winning a pulsating series decider in Delhi by 43 runs. Close to 800 runs were scored in the final clash, with both teams delivering fireworks at a breakneck pace, setting the tone ahead of the Women’s World Cup 2025.
Chasing a mammoth 413, India looked on course for a miracle when Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur brought the score to 206 for 3 in just over 20 overs.
Mandhana, who finished the series with 300 runs and claimed the Player of the Series award, smashed 125 off 63 balls in the decider, registering the second-fastest century by an Indian batter. In Women’s ODIs, this is behind the record effort of Australian Meg Lanning, who got there in 45 balls against New Zealand in 2012.
Harmanpreet added a 32-ball 50 before India’s middle order collapsed under relentless pressure. Deepti Sharma kept hopes alive with a 58-ball 72, but India ultimately fell short at 369 all out.
For Australia, Beth Mooney’s blistering 138 off 75 balls – her fourth ODI century – powered the side to 412, supported by Georgia Voll’s 81 and Ellyse Perry’s 68.
Healy, the Australian captain, described the pitch as one of the flattest she had ever played on and said the team approached the match like a T20, squeezing every opportunity.
Mooney reflected on her innings, saying it was important to keep building partnerships and putting pressure on the bowlers, noting that playing in these conditions ahead of the World Cup was valuable.
Mandhana said she focused on keeping things simple, trusting the wicket and the fast outfield, and just reacting to the ball rather than overthinking. “Winning the series would have made it even better, but it was still a very good contest,” she added.
Healy emphasised the team’s mindset going into the World Cup, saying that while you cannot defend a World Cup, you have to beat every side to lift the trophy. She praised India’s performance and predicted they would be a strong side in the tournament.
Harmanpreet highlighted the positives for India despite the loss, praising the depth of the batting and the options available for combinations, which she said would be key in the World Cup. She also noted that fielding remained an area of focus, but the competitive series had given her team valuable learnings.
The series showcased the attacking prowess and resilience of both sides, with Mooney and Mandhana setting new benchmarks for fast scoring in women’s ODIs. As Australia take momentum into the World Cup, India will aim to convert these lessons into success on home soil.
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