IND W vs AUS W, 3rd ODI, Review: Mandhana's record century goes in vain as Australia seal three-match series

Published - 20 Sept 2025, 21:24 IST | Updated - 20 Sept 2025, 22:03 IST

The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi witnessed a run-fest on Saturday as nearly 800 runs were scored in the third and final ODI between India Women and Australia Women. Despite Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking century, the visitors came out victorious by 43 runs and clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1.

Australia, unbeaten in a bilateral ODI series against India, batted first and hammered 412, their joint-highest total in the format. Beth Mooney’s 138 off 75 balls, along with Georgia Voll (81) and Ellyse Perry (68), ensured the visitors were placed in the driver's seat. India fought back brilliantly, thanks to Mandhana’s ton, but eventually fell short at 369 in 47 overs.

Earlier, skipper Alyssa Healy’s 30 provided a good start, before Voll and Perry contributed with fifties. Meanwhile, Mooney smashed 23 fours and a six in her 75-ball stay. Her 57-ball century was joint-third fastest in women’s ODIs, pushing Australia to 338/3 after 40 overs. Although India triggered a collapse of 6 for 34 in the last seven overs.

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For India, Arundhati Reddy (3/86) picked up wickets but leaked runs heavily, while Deepti Sharma (2/75) and Renuka Singh (2/79) tried to contain the opposition batters. Notably, the total of 412 was the highest ever conceded by India in ODIs.

In the chase, Mandhana raced to a 23-ball fifty and then smashed her hundred in just 50 balls, the second-fastest ton in women’s ODIs, only behind Meg Lanning’s 45-ball ton in 2012. Partnering with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who hit a 32-ball fifty, she added 121 runs for the third wicket.

However, when Harmanpreet fell lbw to Kim Garth for 52, followed soon after by Mandhana for 125 off 63 balls. Notably, the Indian opener hit her 13th ODI century, also making her joint-second on the all-time list alongside Suzie Bates, with only Lanning ahead.

Even after the top-order collapse, Deepti Sharma kept the fight alive. Promoted to No. 5, she smashed 72 off 58 balls, her quickest ODI knock, and shared a 65-run stand with Sneh Rana (35). However, Deepti’s dismissal at deep midwicket ended India’s hopes. Australia wrapped things up impressively, with Garth (3/69) and Schutt (2/53) doing the bulk of the damage.