Blazing away: Smriti smashed 14 fours and 4 sixes in her twelfth ODI hundred.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
A win in opposition to Australia in girls’s cricket is all the time particular. India’s 102–run victory within the second ODI is greater than particular, really.
Not simply because this was India’s first ODI victory at house in opposition to the undisputed queens of worldwide cricket in 18 years, but in addition as a result of it was 4 years in the past that India gained an ODI in opposition to them, at Mackay.
With the World Cup beginning in lower than a fortnight’s time, this win assumes much more significance. After the crushing eight-wicket defeat within the first match, the Women in Blue wanted to bounce again. They did it in model, in entrance of a small however noisy crowd on the PCA Stadium on Wednesday night time. This was Australia’s biggest defeat, by runs. And it ended India’s eight-game dropping streak in opposition to Australia in ODIs.
The win was common by one other elegant hundred from Smriti Mandhana (117, 91b, 14×4, 4×6). Her twelfth ODI hundred helped Harmanpreet’s facet put up 292. That is India’s highest-ever complete in opposition to the Australians, an enchancment by 11 runs from the primary ODI.
No complete is secure in opposition to the highly effective Australian batting line-up, however a gentle all-round bowling effort by a revamped Indian assault, boosted by the return of Renuka Singh meant the chase was hardly on. That was additionally due to a significantly better fielding effort by the Indians after their disappointing present a few days in the past.
Earlier the breakthrough was supplied by Radha Yadav who caught Ellyse Perry off her personal bowling summed up India’s present. You, after all, anticipate such efforts from the proficient fielder.
The wicket of Perry was essential. After the lack of openers Alyssa Healy and Georgia Voll inside 5 overs, it was Perry (44, 61b, 5×4) that led the guests’ fightback.
The breakthrough was supplied by Renuka, taking part in her first match for India since final December: she had Voll dragging an inside edge to the stumps. Once Annabel Sutherland (45, 42b, 4×4) was caught effectively at further cowl by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur off Arundhati Reddy, Australia’s hopes started to fade.
Earlier, it was nearly a solo present by Smriti. The goddess on the off-side was extreme on the leg-side. The solely different to the touch 30 was Deepti Sharma (40, 53b, 2×4).
Smriti and Pratika had given Indian one other superb begin – 70 , which got here off in simply 11 overs.
Published – September 17, 2025 10:16 pm IST
