Visakhapatnam, Oct 12 (NationPress) Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal delivered exceptional fifties, setting a record for the highest-ever opening partnership against Australia in the Women's World Cup. India concluded their innings at 330 all out at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, on Sunday.

This total of 330/10 marks the largest score against the seven-time champions Australia in World Cup history, exceeding the previous record of 298 by England.

The two openers rose to the occasion, revitalizing India's campaign after their loss to South Africa. They employed aggressive cuts, drives, and punishing shots on anything short, forging a solid foundation for a significant score.

Mandhana, who had accumulated only 54 runs in the first three matches of the ongoing World Cup and faced criticism regarding her form after a stellar season, smashed a 66-ball 80 (9x4, 3x6). Meanwhile, Rawal crafted a 96-ball 75 (10x4, 1x6), contributing to a remarkable 155-run opening partnership. This partnership stands as the highest opening partnership by any team against Australia in World Cup history.

By securing her first fifty in the 2025 World Cup, marking her 33rd overall, Mandhana also etched her name in history as the fastest and youngest player to achieve 5000 runs in women's ODIs, reaching the milestone in just 112 matches, surpassing Stafanie Taylor (WI), who took 129 matches to hit the mark. She reached this milestone with a six off Kim Garth in the 21st over, bringing her total to 5,022 runs, which includes 13 centuries.

Alyssa Healy's choice to bowl first proved detrimental as Mandhana and Rawal capitalized on the opportunities presented. The Australian bowlers, seven of whom saw action, struggled with their line and length, allowing the Indian batters to settle in comfortably. Despite some luck with catches just out of reach for fielders, the Indian duo seized their chances.

However, Australia managed to regain some control thanks to Annabel Sutherland's impressive performance, taking 5 wickets for 40 runs, preventing what seemed destined for a 400-run innings from being realized, as India was restricted to 330.

The match appeared challenging for Australia at times due to Mandhana and Rawal's strong performance.

Mandhana reached her fifty off 46 balls, showcasing remarkable shots, including consecutive fours off Sophie Molineux in the eighth over and a clever lap-shot off Ashleigh Gardner in the 14th. After her half-century, she shifted gears, hitting a six off Kim Garth and clearing the boundary against Tahlia McGrath in the 24th over.

Just as she seemed poised for her third century against Australia in a month, the 29-year-old left-hander was dismissed, caught by Phoebe Litchfield at deep midwicket off Molineux, having scored at a strike rate of 121.21.

Rawal initially led the scoring until Mandhana eclipsed her, reaching her maiden World Cup fifty off 69 balls. She executed some beautiful shots, including a short-arm jab off Annabel Sutherland and a straight drive for six off Gardner in the ninth over. Unfortunately, she was caught by Ellyse Perry off Sutherland while attempting to accelerate the scoring.

Australia clawed back into the match by dismissing Harleen Deol (38 off 42) and Harmanpreet Kaur (22 off 17) in quick succession. Nonetheless, Jemimah Rodrigues (33 from 21 balls, 5x4) and Richa Ghosh (32 in 22, 3x4, 2x6) added a quick 54 runs for the fifth wicket, boosting India's total.

Despite a solid start, India couldn't capitalize in the final ten overs, falling short of the anticipated 350. The defending champions, having conceded 192/1 in the first 30 overs, managed to restrict India to 138/9 in the subsequent 20 overs.

Brief scores: India 330 all out in 48.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 80, Pratika Rawal 75, Jemimah Rodrigues 33, Richa Ghosh 32; Annabel Sutherland 5-40, Sophie Molineux 3-75) against Australia.