Smriti Mandhana blasted the second-fastest ODI hundred by an Indian woman as India crushed Australia by 102 runs — their heaviest defeat — to level the three-match series 1-1 at Mullanpur on Wednesday.
Mandhana’s blistering 117 off 91 balls, studded with 14 fours and four sixes, powered India to a record 292. Despite several dropped catches, the hosts bowled out Australia for 190 in 40.5 overs to seal a resounding win.
Despite having a long batting lineup, Australia’s pursuit was never able to gain traction since India’s incisive bowling and fielding kept them under strict control in the opening ten overs, from which the visitors achieved just 25/2.
On September 20, the third and final ODI in the series will be played in New Delhi.
After establishing a target of 293, India put up a team bowling effort, with Kranti Goud leading the charge with figures of 9.5-1-28-3. Not far behind, Deepti Sharma shut the door on Australia with two strikes after the 30th over.
The tone was established by Renuka Thakur (1/28) dismissing Georgia Voll (0) in the second over, and in the fifth over, Goud removed the threatening Alyssa Healy (9), who was caught in the deep by Arundhati Reddy.
With 50 and 46 runs for the third and fourth wickets, respectively, Ellyse Perry (44) attempted to create crucial stands with Beth Mooney (18) and Annabel Sutherland (45), but Australia was kept under pressure by the asking rate.
In the 15th over, Harleen Deol dropped Mooney (18) off Sneh Rana (1/35) on eight, but in the 17th over, Reddy nabbed the Australian No. 4.
The left-arm spinner grabbed a superb low return catch on her left to get the big wicket of Perry, who drove one hard in the air but not far from the bowler, after Radha had dropped Sutherland on 13 in the 21st over.
In the 30th over, India had yet another crucial moment when captain Harmanpreet Kaur, against the run of play, removed on-song Sutherland for 45 with a fine catch at cover, leaving Australia at 134/5.
Ashleigh Gardner (17) was dropped by Gaud on a regulation chance off Radha at far off in the 33rd over. However, Radha made no mistake in taking a reverse-cup grasp at chest height at deep midwicket off Deepti in the following over, preventing the Australian from extending her stay in the middle.
As Australia’s struggle stalled against a fast rising asking rate, Gardner’s exit was followed by Tahlia McGrath’s (16) in the 36th, who was wonderfully captured near the ropes by Reddy off Deepti.
The world-dominant Australian team has lost an ODI by 100 or more runs for the first time in history. With the 13th World Cup just two weeks away, the loss could have serious ramifications for the seven-time champions.
Earlier, batting first, the left-handed Mandhana stole the show with a sublime knock.
It took Mandhana 77 balls to reach her hundred. She also owns the record for the fastest century by an Indian woman batter, which she achieved in 70 deliveries against Ireland in Rajkot in January earlier this year.
India got off to a strong start thanks to Mandhana and youthful Pratika Rawal, who shared 70 runs for the opening partnership in 11.3 overs.
In a gentle dismissal, Rawal spooned one to Georgia Wareham at cover off Ashleigh Gardner (2/39) after appearing to be in fine touch.
Harleen Deol (10) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (17) got starts but couldn’t convert them into substantial scores.
The scoring rate somewhat dipped following Mandhana’s dismissal, but Richa Ghosh (29 off 33) and Deepti Sharma (40 off 53) did their best to keep up the pace.
After Mandhana’s dismissal, the Indians slowed down, but they were still on track for a total of 300 or more. Sneh Rana (24 off 18) played a solid hand towards the end to bring the score close to 300.
