Smriti Mandhana's classy 117, supplemented by India's strength in bowling depth, led the hosts to a comprehensive 102-run victory over Australia in the second ODI at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Not only did the win tie the three-match series at 1–1 but also produced one of India's most clinical all-around performances in recent years.
Sent in to bat, India posted a healthy 292 in 49.5 overs, with Smriti burning the stage with 117 off only 91 balls. It was her 12th ODI century, third against Australia, and importantly the second-quickest ton scored by an Indian woman in ODIs. The hosts were at one stage poised to cross the 320 barrier, but Australia fought back through the death overs with Darcie Brown's 3-42. Nevertheless, the total still looked daunting.
Australia's pursuit never gained momentum, which was disrupted by telling spells of India's six-member bowling attack, all of whom contributed to the wickets. Kranti Goud was the pick of the bowlers with 3-28, while Deepti Sharma took two wickets to keep the tourists under persistent strain. Australia were bundled out for 190 in 40.5 overs, their biggest run defeat in women's ODIs—worse than the 92-run thrashing against England in the 1973 World Cup final.
Annabel Sutherland's 45 and Ellyse Perry's unflustered 44 provided resistance, but to no avail. India's tactic of using six bowlers paid off in a big way, and the decisive margin also ended Australia's run of 13 consecutive ODI victories. More importantly, it was India's first home ODI victory over the Aussies since February 2007 at Chennai.
Renuka Singh Thakur, returning from injury and playing her first ODI since December 2024, made an instant impression by having Georgia Voll caught for a duck. Kranti then sent skipper Alyssa Healy for 9. Australia struggled to just 25 runs in the initial 10 overs—their lowest Power-play score in ODIs since the 2017 World Cup.
Sneh Rana then added to their misery, catching Beth Mooney for 18. India suffered a minor setback when Renuka stormed off in the middle of an over due to injury, and Arundhati Reddy was compelled to take over and finish the spell. Nonetheless, Australia could not make it count. Ellyse and Annabel put on 46 runs in partnership, but their partnership was ended with Radha Yadav's incredible diving caught-and-bowled that sent Perry packing.
Arundhati then removed Annabel, before contributing in the field again by taking her third catch of the game—sending Tahlia McGrath back off Deepti’s bowling. Deepti also accounted for Ashleigh Gardner (17), while a run-out saw Alana King depart. Megan Schutt fell to a sharp reflex catch by Kranti, who fittingly ended proceedings by bowling Georgia Wareham with a pinpoint yorker.
The overall victory has now arranged an exciting 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)
defeated 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.
