Visakhapatnam, India — In a spectacle of cricketing prowess that will undoubtedly be etched into the annals of women`s ODI history, Australia`s captain, Alyssa Healy, orchestrated a chase of extraordinary magnitude against India in the ICC Women`s World Cup 2025. Her majestic century propelled the seven-time champions to a record-breaking victory, successfully overhauling a formidable target of 331 runs – the highest ever in Women`s ODI cricket.
India`s Strong Foundation: Mandhana and Rawal Shine
The Sunday clash commenced with India opting to bat first, aiming to capitalize on a pitch that offered little solace to the Australian bowlers. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal provided a stellar exhibition of batting, stitching together a commanding 155-run partnership. Mandhana, in particular, was in sublime form, crafting an elegant 80 runs from just 66 deliveries. Her innings was a significant milestone, making her the fastest and youngest player to achieve 5000 runs in Women`s ODIs – a testament to her consistent brilliance.
Rawal, her dependable partner, contributed a solid 75 runs, holding her end as Mandhana accelerated the scoring. However, even the best partnerships must eventually yield. After Mandhana`s dismissal, Australia`s Annabel Sutherland spearheaded a spirited comeback, eventually claiming an impressive five-wicket haul (5/40) towards the end of the innings. Despite these breakthroughs, contributions from Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues ensured India posted a challenging total of 330 for seven wickets, setting the stage for a tense showdown.
The Chase Begins: Healy`s Aggression Unleashed
Chasing 331 runs in an ODI is a daunting task under any circumstances, let alone in a World Cup fixture. But if there were any nerves in the Australian camp, Alyssa Healy concealed them with an audacious display of batting. From the outset, Healy unfurled a century that was a potent blend of genius and sheer grit. She wasted no time asserting her dominance, launching an early assault that visibly unsettled the Indian bowlers. Her quickfire fifty, achieved in just 35 balls, was the fastest in this edition of the tournament, signaling her clear intent.
Healy’s wonderfully supple wrists allowed her to dissect the field with surgical precision, finding the boundaries with a frequency that belied the pressure of the chase. She effortlessly handled both pace and spin, notably biffing pacer Kranti Gaud for a six and three fours in a single over, dismantling any attempts at containment. Even Sneh Rana`s fuller lengths and quicker deliveries couldn`t stop Healy, who employed sweeping shots with great effect, consistently finding the vacant gaps.
Moment of Tension: Australia`s Brief Stumble
Despite Healy`s heroics, cricket, as it often does, introduced its moments of drama. The young left-arm spinner Sri Charani delivered a commendable spell (3/41), providing India with a semblance of control during the middle overs. She accounted for Phoebe Litchfield, who had shared an 85-run opening stand with Healy, and foxed Annabel Sutherland with a clever straight ball. More critically, veteran Ellyse Perry had to retire hurt, and as a few quick wickets fell, Australia found themselves at 265 for three, then slipping to 303 for seven, creating palpable tension in the dugout. The required run rate, for a fleeting moment, crept above seven runs per over.
But heroes are forged in adversity. Healy found a sensible ally in Ashleigh Gardner (45 runs), with whom she added a crucial 95 runs for the fourth wicket, steering Australia back on course. Healy herself brought up her sixth WODI hundred – and her first as captain – with a calm single off Deepti Sharma, acknowledging the milestone with a simple, understated wave of the bat. Her eventual dismissal, attempting a cut off Charani, was a minor setback, but by then, the heavy lifting was largely done.
The Grandstand Finish: Perry`s Return and Historic Win
With just a few runs needed and a couple of wickets in hand, the stage was set for a dramatic conclusion. Ellyse Perry, defying her earlier injury, returned to the crease. Exhibiting her trademark composure under pressure, Perry (47 not out) applied the finishing touches, guiding Australia to a historic three-wicket victory. The Australian dugout erupted in celebration, a blend of relief and triumph for achieving what many might have deemed impossible.
This remarkable victory not only showcased Australia`s unparalleled depth and resilience but also firmly placed them at the top of the World Cup table with seven points. India, despite their valiant effort and record-breaking chase, remained in third position with four points. The match in Visakhapatnam will be remembered not just for the numbers it produced, but for the sheer spectacle of high-quality women`s cricket, delivering a thrilling narrative of grit, genius, and a record that may stand for years to come.
