Can India Level the Series with a 102-Run Victory Over Australia?

New Chandigarh, Sep 17 (NationPress) Smriti Mandhana delivered a brilliant performance with her remarkable 117 runs, while the bowling attack proved effective as India secured an impressive victory over Australia by 102 runs, leveling the three-match series at 1–1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, India managed to score 292 runs in 49.5 overs, with Smriti's innings of 117 off 91 balls marking the second fastest century by an Indian in women’s ODIs. This also marked her 12th ODI century and her third against Australia.

At one point, it appeared that India could surpass 320, but Australia’s bowlers, particularly Darcie Brown with figures of 3-42, contained the scoring in the latter stages. However, the total proved more than adequate as India’s bowlers, spearheaded by Kranti Goud with impressive figures of 3-28, dismantled the Australian batting lineup.

Annabel Sutherland was the top scorer for Australia with 45 runs, while Ellyse Perry contributed with 44 runs, but their efforts were futile as Australia was bowled out for 190 runs in 40.5 overs, marking their largest defeat by runs in women’s ODIs, surpassing their previous record of a 92-run loss to England in the 1973 World Cup final.

India's strategic move to utilize six bowlers yielded significant results, with each bowler claiming wickets. This substantial win also marked India's first home ODI victory against Australia since February 2007 in Chennai, putting an end to Australia’s streak of 13 consecutive wins in this format.

Returning from injury, Renuka Singh Thakur made an immediate impact by dismissing Georgia Voll for a duck, while Kranti Goud took out Alyssa Healy for just 9 runs. Australia struggled to reach a mere 25 runs during the Power-play, their worst 10-over score in ODIs since the 2017 World Cup.

The pressure escalated when Sneh Rana had Beth Mooney caught for 18, though India faced a minor setback when Renuka was forced to leave the field due to injury, with Arundhati Reddy stepping in to complete her spell. Ellyse and Annabel provided some resistance with a partnership of 46 runs, but wickets continued to fall for Australia.

Radha Yadav showcased her skills with a diving catch to dismiss Ellyse, while Arundhati sent Annabel back and later took her third catch of the innings to dismiss Tahlia McGrath off Deepti Sharma's bowling. Deepti contributed significantly with two wickets, including that of Ashleigh Gardner for 17 runs.

Australia's chase further deteriorated with a run-out of Alana King, followed by Megan Schutt falling to a sharp catch by Kranti, who ultimately sealed the match by bowling out Georgia Wareham with a precise yorker, setting the stage for a decisive final match in New Delhi on Saturday.

Brief scores:

India 292 all out in 49.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 117, Deepti Sharma 40; Darcie Brown 3-42, Ashleigh Gardner 2-39) beat Australia 190 all out in 40.5 overs (Annabel Sutherland 45, Ellyse Perry 44; Kranti Goud 3-28, Deepti Sharma 2-24) by 102 runs.