Despite explosive innings from Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women's cricket team lost to Australia by 43 runs in the decisive ODI. With this defeat, Australia clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1.
Sports News: Despite Smriti Mandhana's stormy century and captain Harmanpreet Kaur's fiery innings, India could not secure a victory against the Australia women's cricket team on Saturday. In the match played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Australia defeated India by 43 runs, securing the three-match ODI series 2-1.
India had hoped for a win in the second ODI, which would have given them an opportunity to win a bilateral ODI series against Australia for the first time. However, Australia recognized this and played with full strength. Batting first, Australia scored 412 runs, losing all wickets in 47.5 overs. Team India fought hard but could only manage 369 runs in 47 overs.
Australia's Mammoth Score
Batting first, Australia scored 412 runs in a full 47.5 overs. In this innings, a brilliant partnership between Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll pulverized the Indian bowlers. Mooney played an explosive innings of 138 runs, while Voll added 81 runs. The partnership between Ellyse Perry and Mooney kept the Indian bowlers under immense pressure.
Australia hit 60 fours, a new record against India in women's cricket. No Indian bowler succeeded in curbing this massive score. Fielding errors by Richa Ghosh and Radha Yadav also proved costly for India. This innings made it clear that India was facing a target of over 400 runs, which was challenging for any team.
India's Strong Start, Mandhana-Harmanpreet's Storm
Chasing a target of 413 runs, India's start was slow with the early dismissal of Prathikha Rawal. Her wicket fell on the third ball of the fourth over. Following this, Harleen Deol also lost her wicket after scoring just 11 runs. Then Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur stabilized the team and started scoring runs quickly. Mandhana completed her century in 30 balls, setting a new record for the fastest century in Indian cricket (men's and women's).
Previously, this record was held by Virat Kohli, who scored a century against Australia in 52 balls. Harmanpreet Kaur was also scoring runs rapidly. She made 52 runs off 35 balls, including 8 fours. Her innings concluded when the total score was 206. Mandhana scored 125 runs off 63 balls, which included 17 fours and 5 sixes. Her explosive innings brought the team close to the mammoth score, but she couldn't secure the win.
After Mandhana and Harmanpreet's dismissals, Deepti Sharma rekindled the team's hopes. She scored 72 runs off 58 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes. However, her efforts also could not lead the team to victory. Despite these innings, India's total score was restricted to 369 runs, and Australia won the match by 43 runs. Australia clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1.
