Trisha Ghosal in Delhi
A decider befitting of its name. Under the searing Delhi sun, fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium were treated to a run-fest, a riveting contest on a flat deck where 781 runs were scored. In the end, Beth Mooney’s brilliance carried Australia to their joint-highest total of 412, a mark that proved just out of India’s reach despite Smriti Mandhana’s fireworks.
Australia, batting first, played with a no-holds-barred attitude. Alyssa Healy set the tone with 30 off 18 balls before falling to Kranti Goud, her third dismissal off the left-arm quick this series. Georgia Voll, fed a barrage of short balls, made them count this time, hammering 81 off 68 deliveries. But the innings belonged to Mooney. She unleashed every stroke in the book in a majestic 138, her career-best ODI score. The lone Indian standout was Sneh Rana, who used clever variations to return 1/68 amidst the carnage. Australia’s 412 equalled their record set against Denmark in 1997, when Belinda Clark scored the first ODI double century.
India’s reply was as audacious as it was thrilling. Mandhana, the undisputed player of the series, blazed her way to a 50-ball century — the fastest by an Indian in women’s ODIs. With Harmanpreet Kaur racing to a 32-ball fifty, India were 206/2 after 20 overs and cruising. Then came the turning point. During a medical break for Harmanpreet’s knee treatment, Healy gathered her players in a huddle. The very next ball, Harmanpreet lost focus, fell lbw to Kim Garth, and in the next over Mandhana miscued a pull to fall for a whirlwind 125.
Australia’s never-say-die attitude shone through. Richa Ghosh was run-out at the non-striker’s end, and the chase stumbled. Deepti Sharma fought valiantly with 72 off 58, supported by Rana in a 65-run stand, but once both departed, India’s hopes faded.
India finished on 369, a statement effort but one that left them 44 runs short. The lack of batting depth cost them dear after the top-order blitz. Mooney, fittingly, was named Player of the Match, while Australia sealed the series with resilience and composure. Mandhana, of course, took the Player of the Series award.
For India, there are positives to take — their fearless batting and Mandhana’s dominance — but the series belongs to Australia, who once again showed why they remain the standard-bearers in women’s cricket.
Some of the Key Stats
- Australia 412 – joint-highest total in women’s ODIs (equalled 1997 vs Denmark).
- Beth Mooney 138 (career-best) – previous best 137.
- Smriti Mandhana 100 (50 balls) – fastest century by an Indian in women’s ODIs.
- 781 runs in the match – among the highest aggregate totals in women’s ODIs.
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