Australia Chases Record to Beat India in Women's ODI

Chasing 331 under lights in dewy conditions, the defending champions reached 331-7 with one over to spare. Ellyse Perry sealed the victory in style, hitting a six off the final ball of the 49th over to lift Australia to the top of the Women’s Cricket World Cup standings after wins over New Zealand, Pakistan and India.

Healy’s 107-ball knock included 21 fours and three sixes — her sixth ODI century, second against India, and third in World Cup matches. She was named player of the match.

“I’m really proud of the group today,” said the Australian captain. “We’ve been talking about our batting depth, and this chase proves it. Full credit to our bowlers for pulling it back — we could have been chasing 360.”

Opting to bat first, India posted 330 in 48.5 overs but lost momentum after a dominant opening stand. Smriti Mandhana led the charge with 80 off 66 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes, and sharing a 155-run partnership with Pratika Rawal (75 off 96).

Mandhana crossed 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year — a first in women’s cricket — and also reached 5,000 career runs in just 112 innings, the fastest by an Indian woman.

However, India collapsed late, losing its last six wickets for just 36 runs.

Annabel Sutherland starred with the ball for Australia, taking 5-40 — her first five-wicket haul. She dismissed Rawal in the 31st over and triggered the lower-order slide.

Sophie Molineux picked up 3-75, including the key wicket of Mandhana. Harleen Deol added 38 off 42, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur hit 22 off 17, and Richa Ghosh finished with a quickfire 32 off 22.

Healy anchors record chase
Australia’s reply began confidently, with Healy and Phoebe Litchfield putting on 85 for the first wicket. Litchfield made 40 off 39 balls before falling to left-arm spinner Shree Charani.

Perry (47 not out) shared a crucial 69-run stand with Healy before briefly retiring hurt with a hamstring issue, then returning later to finish the chase.

Healy reached her century off 84 balls and added 95 off 70 deliveries with Ashleigh Gardner (45). Despite a late double strike from Amanjot Kaur, Perry and Kim Garth kept their composure to complete a famous win.

The seven-time world champions have now extended their unbeaten World Cup run to 12 matches, dating back to 2022. Australia will face Bangladesh next on Thursday, while India, who lost to South Africa in their previous match, will meet England in Indore after a week’s break, reports UNB.