History was made at the Visakhapatnam Cricket Stadium, where Australia pulled off a sensational chase of 330 runs — the highest in the history of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup — to defeat India by three wickets. The thrilling contest kept fans on edge till the final over, marking a golden chapter in women’s cricket.
India’s Commanding Innings
In the much-anticipated clash, Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. India got off to a flying start as openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal added a brilliant 155 runs for the first wicket, laying a strong foundation for what would become the highest total of the tournament.
With an outstanding opening partnership, India posted a commanding 330 runs on the board. Their innings showcased patience, aggression, and superb shot selection, which kept the Australian bowlers under pressure.
Australia’s Record-Breaking Chase
Captain Alyssa Healy led from the front with a magnificent 142-run knock, the second-best innings of her career. She was well supported by the left-handed Phoebe Litchfield, who added a steady 40 runs, giving Australia a strong start. Later, Ellyse Perry played a composed 47-run innings, sealing the victory with a winning six.
On the bowling front, Annabel Sutherland shone brightly with a superb five-wicket haul, playing a crucial role in limiting India’s late acceleration and paving the way for a historic chase.
The Final Moments
The chase went right down to the wire, keeping every fan on the edge of their seat. Despite losing a few quick wickets in the middle overs, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner held their composure and provided the finishing touch that sealed a famous victory, etching this contest into the golden pages of women’s cricket history.
It was truly a night where Australia proved that fortune favours the brave, showcasing courage and belief when the odds were stacked against them.
Key Performers
From the victorious side, Captain Alyssa Healy led by example, playing a stunning knock of 142 runs, the second-best innings of her career. Phoebe Litchfield provided a solid start with 40 runs, while Ellyse Perry remained composed under pressure, contributing a crucial 47 runs — including the winning six that sealed the chase. On the bowling side, Annabel Sutherland was exceptional, claiming 5 wickets and earning the Player of the Match award for her all-round brilliance.
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For India, Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 80 runs, while Pratika Rawal added an impressive 75. Middle-order batters Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh chipped in with quickfire 33 and 32 runs, helping India set a challenging total of 330.
Points Table
With this historic win, Australia climbed to the top of the points table with 7 points, strengthening their position in the tournament. Meanwhile, India slipped to third place with 4 points after the defeat. The Aussies will face Bangladesh on October 16, while India will take on England on October 19 in a crucial encounter.
Conclusion
Australia’s record-breaking chase will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in women’s cricket history. From Alyssa Healy’s inspiring captaincy to Ellyse Perry’s calm finish, the team showcased skill, grit, and composure under immense pressure.
However, India also deserve high praise for their fighting spirit and top-order brilliance. Their strong batting display turned the match into a true classic. As the tournament moves forward, both teams have proven their strength — with Australia asserting dominance and India showing the resilience of true champions.
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