Captain Alyssa Healy`s brilliant century (142 runs off 107 balls, including 21 fours and 3 sixes) propelled Australia to a historic three-wicket victory over India in a Women`s World Cup match in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. This chase of 331 runs, successfully achieved by the seven-time champions, marks the highest-ever in women`s ODIs, surpassing Sri Lanka`s 302 against South Africa in 2024. India had set a formidable target of 330, thanks to half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal.
Australia now leads the tournament table with seven points, while India holds the third position with four points.
Healy`s innings was characterized by exceptional ball-striking, her supple wrists enabling her to precisely place shots across the field. Despite a previously modest record against pacer Kranti Gaud, Healy dominated her on this occasion, smashing a six and three fours in a single over to assert control. Spinner Sneh Rana attempted to restrict Healy with fuller deliveries, but the Australian skillfully executed sweeps, finding gaps between square leg and mid-wicket, or behind fine leg. Even when Rana bowled faster, Healy responded with a powerful slog sweep for six, maintaining Australia`s strong scoring rate. Healy reached her fifty in just 35 balls, the fastest of the tournament.
Despite Australia`s dominance, left-arm spinner Sri Charani delivered an impressive spell of 3 wickets for 41 runs in 10 overs, providing India, lacking a sixth bowling option, some much-needed control during the middle overs. Charani, a local player, claimed crucial wickets, including Phoebe Litchfield, who had contributed to an aggressive 85-run opening partnership with Healy, and Annabel Sutherland, whom she dismissed with a deceptive quicker, straight delivery.
When veteran Ellyse Perry retired hurt, Australia faced a challenging situation, with the required run rate exceeding seven for the first time in their chase. However, Healy formed a crucial 95-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Ashleigh Gardner (45), steering Australia back into contention.
Healy then completed her sixth WODI century – her first as captain – with a single off Deepti Sharma, modestly acknowledging the milestone. Her outstanding innings ended when she was caught by substitute Radha Yadav at the edge of the circle, attempting a cut shot off Charani. Healy`s departure caused a brief wobble for Australia, as they quickly lost Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, and Sophie Molineux, falling from 265 for three to 303 for seven. Nevertheless, Ellyse Perry (47 not out) returned to finish the match confidently.
Earlier in the match, India`s batting lineup, previously struggling, found its rhythm with elegant half-centuries from Mandhana and Rawal, enabling them to post a formidable total exceeding 300. Batting first on a pitch offering little to the Australian bowlers, India`s openers, Mandhana (80 off 66 balls) and Rawal (75 off 96 balls), laid a strong foundation.
Their 155-run opening partnership, achieved in just 24.3 overs, was the catalyst for India`s strong performance, and a significant turnaround after their previous struggles against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and South Africa. Mandhana`s batting style can be described as elegantly aggressive. The left-hander started cautiously but shifted gears after the seventh over, particularly after left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux (3/75) was introduced, which also boosted the team`s scoring rate. Mandhana welcomed Molineux to the crease by smashing 18 runs off her first over, including a six and two fours. While Rawal played a supporting role to Mandhana, she also displayed moments of brilliance, hitting two consecutive fours off off-spinner Gardner. Their partnership relied on exquisite timing and precise shot placement rather than brute force. Mandhana reached her fifty in 46 balls, with Rawal reaching hers later in 69 deliveries.
During her innings, 29-year-old Mandhana also reached 5000 WODI runs, becoming the fastest and youngest woman to achieve this milestone. This marked their sixth 100-run partnership in 21 innings, just one shy of India`s record of seven set by Purnima Raut and Mithali Raj (in 34 innings).
Mandhana`s innings ended unexpectedly when she attempted a slog sweep off Molineux and was caught by Litchfield in the deep. Her dismissal briefly shifted momentum to Australia, who then quickly took the wickets of Rawal, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and Harleen Deol. India found themselves at 240 for four in the 38th over, risking a collapse after their strong start. However, a valuable 54-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues helped India approach the 300-run mark. Ghosh was eventually caught in the deep off pacer Sutherland (5/40), who skillfully utilized slower deliveries to pick up crucial wickets late in the innings.
