India’s first innings against Australia in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in Visakhapatnam was a landmark event, featuring numerous records and highlighting the team’s growing strength and depth.
The innings kicked off with a remarkable 155 runs opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal. Mandhana, in exceptional form, scored 80 runs off just 66 balls including 3 sixes and 9 fours with the strike rate of 121.21, marking her fifth consecutive 50+ score against Australia, while Rawal contributed a solid 75 off 96 balls with strike rate of 78.12 including 1 six and 10 fours.
Their aggressive batting led to one of the highest powerplay scores in the tournament, setting a commanding tone as they consistently found the boundaries, leaving Australia’s bowlers struggling to keep up. The middle order continued the momentum, with Harleen Deol scoring a spirited 38 (42) and Harmanpreet Kaur adding a quick 22 (17) with strike rate of 129.41.
Jemimah Rodrigues (33 off 21) teamed up with Richa Ghosh (32 off 22) for a rapid 54 -run partnership. India maintained a steady scoring rate, finishing with a total of 330 runs in 48.5 overs, with every player contributing to this collective effort.
Australia’s bowling attack had an eventful outing, led by a sensational performance from Annabel Sutherland, who claimed the first five-wicket haul of the tournament with figures of 5 for 40 in 9.5 overs. Sophie Molineux also bowled effectively, taking 3 wickets, including Mandhana and Rawal, though she was slightly on the expensive side. Megan Schutt and Ashleigh Gardner contributed one wicket each.
India’s total of 330 broke several records; it is the highest total Australia has ever conceded in a Women’s World Cup, and it makes India the first team to score over 300 runs when batting first against Australia in Women’s ODIs. Notably, only twice has any team achieved a 300 plus score against Australia in this format, and India has accomplished this feat both times in consecutive games.
Before the start of the World Cup, India scored 369 batting second in the 3rd ODI of Australia’s tour to India 2025, in Delhi, significantly altering perceptions about competing with one of women’s cricket’s strongest teams.
Individually, Smriti Mandhana made history by becoming the first woman to score 1000 ODI runs in a calendar year and also surpassed 5000 career ODI runs. Her outstanding performance, along with the effective partnerships and aggressive approach of the Indian team, marked this innings as a pivotal moment for women’s cricket in 2025, establishing India as a leading force rather than just contenders.
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