Mullanpur: Smriti Mandhana’s blistering knock of 117 off just 91 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes, powered India to a commanding 102-run victory over Australia in the second ODI, leveling the three-match series 1-1 here on Wednesday. Her innings, the second-fastest century by an Indian woman in ODIs, helped India post their highest-ever total of 292. Despite a few dropped catches, India’s bowlers then bundled out Australia for 190 in 40.5 overs, handing the visitors their heaviest defeat in ODI history.
Australia’s chase never gained momentum as India’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding restricted them to 25/2 in the first 10 overs, making the task insurmountable despite their long batting lineup.
The series decider will be played in New Delhi on September 20.
After setting a target of 293, India’s bowlers produced a collective effort. Kranti Goud led the attack with figures of 9.5-1-28-3, while Deepti Sharma struck twice after the 30th over to seal the win. Early breakthroughs set the tone: Renuka Thakur dismissed Georgia Voll (0) in the second over, and Goud sent back Alyssa Healy (9), caught in the deep by Arundhati Reddy in the fifth over.
Ellyse Perry (44) attempted to anchor partnerships with Beth Mooney (18) and Annabel Sutherland (45), adding 50 and 46 runs respectively for the third and fourth wickets. However, the mounting required run rate kept Australia under pressure. Mooney, initially dropped by Harleen Deol off Sneh Rana, was soon caught by Reddy in the 17th over. Sutherland survived a drop on 13 but fell for 45 to Harmanpreet Kaur’s stunning catch at cover in the 30th over, leaving Australia reeling at 134/5.
Australia’s lower order struggled as Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma claimed vital wickets. Ashleigh Gardner (17) was caught at deep midwicket by Radha, and Tahlia McGrath (16) fell to another excellent catch by Reddy. This marked the first time in history that Australia has lost an ODI by a margin exceeding 100 runs, a significant setback ahead of the 13th World Cup.
Earlier, India’s innings had been dominated by Mandhana. She reached her century in 77 balls, adding to her record of the fastest century by an Indian woman—70 balls against Ireland in January this year. Mandhana shared a 70-run opening stand with Pratika Rawal (25), who was dismissed by Georgia Wareham. Harleen Deol (10) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (17) got starts but couldn’t capitalize. After Mandhana’s departure, Deepti Sharma (40 off 53) and Richa Ghosh (29 off 33) tried to maintain the momentum, while Sneh Rana’s quickfire 24 off 18 took India close to the 300-run mark.
