New Delhi, Sep 21 (NationPress) Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana maintained a positive outlook and thoughtful reflection despite India facing a 43-run setback against Australia in the series-concluding ODI at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. In a high-scoring match where numerous records were shattered, India was bowled out for 369 while chasing a daunting target of 413, with Smriti scoring a remarkable 125, and Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma contributing with 52 and 72 respectively.

Smriti, who achieved the fastest ODI century by an Indian woman batter in just 50 balls, emphasized the team's commitment to playing an optimistic style of cricket before their second innings.

“The main focus is to not dwell on anything, just react to the ball. We were aware that the wicket was favorable and the outfield quick, ensuring we’d get value for our shots. When chasing 400, we must adopt that style of play,” Smriti stated.

“It was a significant match for women's cricket. My focus was solely on my routines, keeping things straightforward and avoiding overthinking,” added Smriti, who was honored as the Player of the Series for her two centuries and a fifty in the three-match series.

Harmanpreet acknowledged the disappointment of the series finale but commended her team's overall performance leading up to the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. “While I’m not happy about losing, we played commendable cricket throughout the series. There are countless lessons for us,” she noted.

“The way Deepti and Sneh batted, even in the last game, demonstrates our batting depth and ability to execute our shots. There were many positive takeaways and lessons learned. It was a competitive series, and we challenged them well,” she said.

She also addressed subpar fielding and the quest for the optimal team mix for the World Cup. “Fielding is an area we're diligently improving. Unfortunately, we've missed several chances. You often inquire about our combination.”

“The upside is our large player pool, allowing us to experiment with various combinations. The World Cup is an extensive tournament that demands the best players for each day,” Harmanpreet commented.

Australia, spearheaded by Beth Mooney's career-best 138 and a robust top-order performance, amassed 412 runs—their joint-highest total in women’s ODIs. India’s reply of 369 made this match the highest aggregate in women’s ODI history, with a total of 748 runs scored.

Beth, recognized as the Player of the Match, remarked: “It was an excellent wicket. Volly (Georgia Voll) and Pez (Ellyse Perry) provided a solid start, and we aimed to maintain that momentum. We focused on building partnerships and capitalizing on bowlers' weaknesses. As the game progressed, our total kept inflating.”

She also mentioned Australia’s ambition to score between 430-450 runs. “At one point, we aimed for 430, then 450, and eventually slowed down towards the end. We would have accepted that total at the start of the day. My primary goal is to contribute to the team. Adapting to these conditions is crucial as we approach the World Cup, and hopefully, we won’t encounter flat pitches like this one for an extended duration,” she said.

Australia's captain, Alyssa Healy, praised her team's versatility and resilience on a pitch that offered little assistance to bowlers. “This was perhaps the flattest wicket I’ve played on. It was a fantastic game of cricket, and we achieved the desired outcome, which was our main objective. We approached this as if it were basically a T20, maximizing our scoring opportunities,” she explained.

“If we could restrict boundaries, which was quite challenging, we might break through their middle order, and we managed to do that. It was a tough wicket, and full credit goes to the girls for their perseverance,” she concluded.

She wrapped up by discussing Australia’s World Cup title defense. “Most players had a chance to bat in the series, which is excellent as we head into the World Cup. We are well-prepared and hope to carry this momentum into the tournament. Defending a World Cup is impossible; you must go out and win it. You have to overcome every team globally to lift that trophy, which is a significant motivator for this group. India performed remarkably in this series and will be a formidable contender in the World Cup, and I am looking forward to it.”