How Did Smriti and the Bowlers Propel India to a 102-Run Victory Over Australia?

New Chandigarh, Sep 17 (NationPress) A remarkable innings of 117 by opener Smriti Mandhana, alongside the utilization of six bowling options, enabled India to deliver an impressive all-around display, defeating Australia by 102 runs and tying the three-match series at 1–1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

India, batting first, set a target of 292 runs in 49.5 overs. Smriti was the star of the show, scoring a stunning 117 off 91 balls, achieving her century in merely 77 deliveries, marking the second-fastest century by an Indian woman in ODIs. Her innings was a blend of grace and aggression, as she tore apart the Australian bowling attack with 14 fours and four sixes.

Notably, her scoring predominantly came from the leg side, diverging from her usual off-side play style. At one point, a score exceeding 320 seemed possible for India. However, Smriti lacked substantial support from her teammates, as no one else managed to make significant contributions.

Australia’s bowlers, particularly Darcie Brown with figures of 3-42, managed to rein in the runs during the latter stages. The variation in pace from Darcie and Annabel Sutherland kept things under control, preventing India from finishing strongly. Nevertheless, the total proved more than adequate as India's bowlers, spearheaded by Kranti Goud with 3-28, dismantled the Australian batting lineup with precision.

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

India's strategic choice to employ six bowlers paid off splendidly, with all of them taking wickets. This significant victory marked India's first home ODI win against Australia since February 2007 in Chennai, ending the visitors' streak of 13 consecutive wins in this format.

Compared to the first ODI, India improved their total by 11 runs in the second match. Yet, familiar weaknesses were evident, as they still failed to surpass the 300-run milestone, despite achieving their highest total against Australia in women's ODIs.

India got off to a robust start with Smriti and Pratika Rawal adding 64 runs during the powerplay, before Pratika fell for a quick 32 off 25 balls. Smriti showcased her form, reaching her half-century in just 45 balls with a six over midwicket. She continued to dominate while Harleen Deol struggled, falling for 10 in a disastrous mix-up.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur soon followed, dismissed for 17 after a catch to backward point off Ashleigh. In the 29th over, Smriti reached her century with a magnificent six over mid-off, before ultimately being dismissed for 117 off Tahlia McGrath.

At 235/4 after 40 overs, India appeared well-placed for a score above 300, but Australia’s bowling depth had other plans. Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma shared a 47-run partnership before Richa was dismissed by a slower ball from Annabel.

Darcie then struck twice in quick succession to dismiss Arundhati Reddy and Deepti, who contributed a steady 40 off 53 balls. Despite Australia missing the over-rate cut-off and having only three fielders outside the ring for the final phase, they managed to restrict India.

Australia's chase for their highest-ever target in ODIs began poorly, with Renuka Singh Thakur, returning from injury, taking early wickets, including Georgia Voll for a duck and Alyssa Healy for 9.

Australia could only muster 25 runs in the powerplay – their lowest ten-over total in ODIs since the 2017 World Cup. The pressure mounted with Sneh Rana dismissing Beth Mooney for 18, even as Renuka left the field due to injury.

Ellyse and Annabel offered brief resistance through a 46-run stand, but wickets continued to fall for Australia. Radha Yadav executed a diving catch to dismiss Ellyse, while Arundhati took out Annabel and later held her third catch to dismiss Tahlia off Deepti’s bowling.

Deepti contributed with two wickets, including Ashleigh for 17. Australia's chase fell apart further with a run-out of Alana King, followed by Megan Schutt falling to a sharp catch by Kranti, who fittingly sealed the win by bowling out Georgia Wareham with a pinpoint yorker, setting the stage for a series decider 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