New Delhi, Sep 23 (NationPress) India has been penalized 10 percent of their match fee due to a slow over-rate during the third and final Women’s ODI against Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. This match was a thrilling display of record-setting batting, ultimately concluding with a 43-run victory for the Australian team.

The sanction was enforced by G.S. Lakshmi from the ICC International Panel of Match Referees after India was determined to be two overs short of their target, even after accounting for time allowances. According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, teams are fined five percent of their match fee for every over not bowled. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted guilt and accepted the penalty, thus avoiding a formal hearing.

This penalty capped off a historic match where both teams achieved the highest-ever combined runs in a women’s ODI — 748 runs in 94.5 overs — featuring 99 fours and 12 sixes.

Australia, led by Beth Mooney’s exceptional 138, amassed 412 runs in 47.5 overs, marking their highest ODI total. India’s response was equally impressive, fueled by Smriti Mandhana’s explosive 125 off just 63 balls, which is the fastest century recorded by an Indian in women's ODIs. Her innings, featuring 17 fours and 5 sixes, electrified the audience, propelling India past 100 runs in a mere nine overs.

Smriti reached her fifty in just 23 balls, also a record for India in this format. Together with Harmanpreet (52), they added 121 runs rapidly, keeping India in the running, while Deepti Sharma contributed a resilient 72. However, frequent wickets during the middle overs disrupted India’s momentum, leading to their all-out score of 369 in 47 overs.

Despite the loss, India made history as the first team to surpass 300 runs in a chase against Australia in women’s ODIs.

Australia’s bowlers, spearheaded by Kim Garth (three wickets) and Megan Schutt, remained composed even after facing setbacks during the powerplay. Grace Harris redeemed herself after an earlier missed catch by dismissing Smriti, a crucial moment that shifted the match firmly in favor of the visitors.

This thrilling encounter also served as a spectacular lead-up to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, commencing on September 30. India will kick off their campaign against Sri Lanka in Guwahati, while Australia will take on New Zealand in Indore on October 1.