The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 witnessed a high-scoring classic as Australia Women clinched a nail-biting three-wicket win over India Women at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. In a contest brimming with intent and individual brilliance, Alyssa Healy’s masterful 142 powered Australia to chase down a stiff target of 331 with one over to spare.
Batting first, India posted a competitive 330 all out in 48.5 overs, led by the fluent strokeplay of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, who set the platform for a strong total. However, Australia’s bowlers, particularly Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux, triggered a late collapse that prevented India from crossing the 350-mark.
In response, Australia’s chase revolved around Alyssa Healy’s commanding hundred, which completely shifted the game’s momentum. Despite late wickets, Healy’s brilliance ensured the visitors held their nerve to seal a memorable win and continue their dominance in the tournament.
Smriti Mandhana – 80 (66)
Smriti Mandhana played with her trademark grace and timing, lighting up Visakhapatnam with an exquisite 80 off 66 balls. Her innings, decorated with crisp drives and elegant flicks, gave India early momentum with her 9 fours and 3 sixes. Mandhana’s ability to find gaps with ease kept the run rate healthy, and her partnership of 155 with Pratika Rawal was the backbone of India’s innings. She fell attempting to accelerate further, but by then, she had set the perfect platform for India to reach a formidable total.
Pratika Rawal – 75 (96)
Playing in just her first World Cup campaign, Pratika Rawal displayed remarkable composure and maturity. Opening alongside Mandhana, she weathered Australia’s disciplined new-ball spell and steadily built her innings. Her 75 off 96 deliveries showcased her temperament — rotating strike smartly, punishing loose deliveries, and anchoring crucial partnerships through the middle overs. Rawal’s calm presence ensured that India’s innings never lost direction, and her partnership with Mandhana (155 runs) formed the cornerstone of India’s 330-run total.
Annabel Sutherland – 5/40 (9.5)
Annabel Sutherland turned the tide for Australia with a sensational five-wicket haul, her best in ODI cricket. While India were eyeing a total well beyond 350, Sutherland’s incisive bowling brought them crashing down in the death overs. Her ability to extract movement and vary her pace unsettled the lower order, claiming key wickets of Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Kranti Gaud and N Sree Charani in quick succession. Her spell of 9.5 overs, 5 for 40, was the defining bowling performance that pulled Australia back into the game.
Alyssa Healy – 142 (107)
Alyssa Healy produced one of the great World Cup innings — a spectacular 142 off 107 balls that anchored Australia’s record chase. Opening the innings with characteristic aggression, Healy dominated from the outset, dismantling the Indian pace attack with exquisite timing and fearless strokeplay. Her knock included 21 fours and 3 sixes, and she combined power with precision in a masterclass of controlled aggression. She set up the chase perfectly before falling late, having already done enough to pave the way for victory. Her innings, full of flair and composure, earned her the Player of the Match award.
N. Sree Charani – 3/41 (10)
Young left arm spinner, N. Sree Charani was India’s brightest spark in defense of their total. Displaying exceptional control and confidence, she picked up 3 for 41 in her 10 overs, including the prized wickets of Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, and Alyssa Healy. Charani bowled with discipline, varying her flight and pace effectively to trouble the Australians. Her dismissal of Healy briefly revived India’s hopes, showcasing her maturity beyond her years. Though India fell just short, Charani’s spell stood out as a moment of immense promise for the future.
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