Australia Women defeated India Women by three wickets in a high-scoring match at the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 in Visakhapatnam. A blazing knock from Smriti Mandhana and a composed innings from Pratika Rawal gave India a strong start. After 30 overs, India were comfortably placed at 192 for 1. However, a destructive spell from Annabel Sutherland (5 for 40 in 9.5 overs) and solid support from Sophie Molineux (3 for 75 in 10 overs) forced India to collapse, getting bowled out for 330 in 48.5 overs.

In reply, Alyssa Healy delivered a breathtaking performance with the bat, scoring 142 runs that helped Australia pull off a record chase in women’s ODI history. The visitors chased down India’s massive 330-run target with six balls to spare and three wickets in hand.

The crowd at the packed Visakhapatnam stadium began leaving early as Australia sealed a dramatic win. Ellyse Perry struck the winning shot, lofting Sneh Rana down the ground to complete the chase.

Perry and Garth Hold Nerve in Tight Finish

Ellyse Perry, who was forced to retire hurt with cramps when Australia were cruising at 154 for 1, returned at a crucial stage with 32 runs still needed from 36 balls. Despite losing Ash Gardner and Sophie Molineux, Perry held her ground to remain unbeaten on 47.

Kim Garth joined Perry after Molineux’s dismissal and the pair added 28 vital runs off 23 balls. Garth’s 14 not out included a stylish reverse-paddle shot in the penultimate over, easing the pressure. Their effort secured Australia’s third win in four matches and pushed them to the top of the World Cup table.

India’s Missed Opportunity and Costly Collapse

India had themselves to blame for the loss. From a strong position at 192 for 1, they collapsed to 330 all out, losing nine wickets for 138 runs in the last 30 overs. Their hopes of reaching 350 faded quickly.

Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal both fell short of centuries after solid starts, scoring 80 and 75 respectively. Their 155-run opening partnership had raised hopes of a massive total, but none of the middle-order batters could build on it.

In contrast, Healy turned her start into a match-winning innings. Her 142 off 127 balls included 21 fours and three sixes — a knock full of power and precision.

India’s Batting: Promise and Problems

India’s innings began brightly with Mandhana rediscovering her rhythm after a few quiet games. She reached her fifty off 46 balls and made history by becoming the first woman to score over 1000 ODI runs in a calendar year. She also became the fastest to 5000 ODI runs.

Rawal played the perfect partner, hitting her half-century off 69 balls. Their stand was India’s second-highest World Cup partnership against Australia. However, once Mandhana was dismissed for 80, the innings began to lose direction.

Contributions from Harleen Deol (38), Harmanpreet Kaur (22), and Jemimah Rodrigues (33) added brief momentum but none converted their starts into big scores. Richa Ghosh, who had rescued India with a 94 against South Africa earlier, fell cheaply this time to a clever slower ball from Sutherland.

Sutherland Shines with Five Wickets

Annabel Sutherland, celebrating her birthday, produced a brilliant spell to take her maiden ODI five-wicket haul. Her variations in pace and length broke India’s rhythm in the final overs and ensured they fell short of a potentially match-winning total.

India’s collapse from 309 for 6 to 330 all out proved costly as they once again failed to finish strongly despite a strong platform.

Healy’s Commanding Innings

Australia started cautiously, making only 25 runs in the first five overs before accelerating sharply. Healy launched her assault on Kranti Gaud, scoring 18 runs off one over, while Phoebe Litchfield supported her with aggressive stroke play.

Their 85-run opening stand came in just over 11 overs before Litchfield fell reverse-sweeping Shree Charani. Perry then joined Healy, and together they added a steady fifty-run partnership before Perry’s injury break.

Healy continued to dominate India’s spinners, bringing up her century in just 84 balls despite battling cramps. Her innings showcased fearless shot selection and immense control under pressure.

When she was finally dismissed — caught at point after a close third-umpire review — India sensed a chance. But Perry’s composure and Garth’s calm batting ended those hopes quickly.

India’s Bowlers Struggle Against Healy

Among India’s bowlers, only left-arm spinner N. Shree Charani impressed, finishing with figures of 3 for 41. She bowled with control and slowed Australia’s scoring rate briefly. However, once she finished her spell in the 39th over, Australia regained momentum easily.

Pacer Kranti Gaud had another poor day, conceding 73 runs in nine overs without taking a wicket. Sneh Rana, one of India’s in-form bowlers, went for 85 runs from her ten overs. With limited options in attack, captain Harmanpreet Kaur found it difficult to contain Healy and Perry on a batting-friendly pitch.