There it is! India pushed and probed, they pressed and persevered, they rattled the Australian cage and then some, but in the end, India fall short of what would have been a historic night in women's cricket! This is a slower ball and like most batters in recent overs, Renuka does not pick it quick enough. She swings for the fences but her shot lacks the power to clear the fence. Voll charges in from long on and dives forward to snap up the chance. Australia are all smiles, and those smiles, apart from being of accomplishment, would be of relief. They put up a mountain of runs, but India, almost, scaled that peak!
AUS Women vs IND Women, 3rd ODI at Delhi, IND Women vs AUS Women, Sep 20 2025 - Match Result
This is the highest match aggregate (781) involving AUS Women & IND Women in WODIs
Gardner has conceded the most runs in an innings (80) in WODIs for AUS-W, going past Nitschke's record of 74
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9:37pm And...breathe. A rip-roaring game of cricket and a fitting end to a series between two very strong contenders for the upcoming Women's World Cup, which is now only ten days away. Plenty to look forward to then, and lots of cricket to keep an eye on in between, and all of the action can be followed on ESPNcricinfo, including this Super Four fixture between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Until next time, from Harshith, Sudarshanan, Vairavan and myself (Shashwat), it is goodbye!
Smriti Mandhana, Player of the Series: (Mindset chasing such a big score) The only thing is to not think about anything and just react to the ball, and hit the ball if it is in your area. The wicket was good, outfield was fast, so was just trying to play whatever was in my slot. Don't have a choice when chasing 413 runs, you have to play that brand of cricket. If we would have won the match and the series, would have been a lot more eventful. (On if she is doing anything differently) Nothing, just focussing on my routines, and keeping it very simple. Those are the two things I am doing - nothing I am doing differently.
Beth Mooney, Player of the Match: Looked like a really nice wicket. They (Perry and Voll) got us to a nice start, wanted to keep that momentum going. To be honest, we were just out there batting, building a partnership, picking off the bowlers when we could. We were aiming for 430-450 at one point, but then spiralled towards the end. Would have taken that at the start of the day. Nice to hold on at the back end, and with the ball as well. I want to contribute to the team. Playing in these conditions and understanding them is important. Hopefully the wickets are not flat and they do not feel like a T20 for 100 overs.
Alyssa Healy, Australia captain: That is one of the flattest wickets I have ever played on. Got advice it could be 400 versus 400 and it was nearly that. Got the result we wanted, which is the main thing. (Chat during break caused by Harmanpreet's injury) We spoke about this being a T20 and if we could approach this like a T20. If we could keep the boundaries out, we could create some false pressure that way and break through the middle order. Thankfully we did. Full credit to our girls for hanging in there. It has worked out that most people have gotten a run-in in this series. Feel we are in a really good place. We are well-placed and hopefully we can take that momentum (into the World Cup). You cannot defend a World Cup, you have to win it and beat every team. India played a fantastic series and they will be one to watch. Really looking forward to get stuck in (at the World Cup)
Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain: Not liking the fact that we are on the losing side but throughout the series, we played good cricket. Lots of learnings for us. Before heading to the World Cup, good series for us and we will take a lot of positives (from this series). (On the positives) Today, the way Deepti and Sneh batted. Even in the last game how Sneh batted - that shows we have depth in batting and we can play our shots and take risks in the middle. Fielding is something we are working hard on but unfortunately, we are still missing chances. We will sit and discuss - this is something that is costing us. (On possible team combination) Good thing is we have so many players now and we can try a lot of combinations whenever we need. World Cup is a long tournament and every team is different. Always about whoever is best for that particular day. It was a good series, we gave them (Australia) a tough series. Don't think they have gotten anything easy. It is a home World Cup, and we are excited. Hopefully we can give our best.
Hypocaust: "The most runs ever scored in a women's List A match, and neither team even batted the full overs. An extraordinary game."
9:10pm Take a bow, Australia. Take a bow, India. Take a bow, Smriti Mandhana. Take a bow, Deepti Sharma. And take a bow, cricket. A splendid game, and one that might take some beating. It had everything (apart from some help for the bowlers). Mandhana, knowing what she and her side was up against, produced one of the all-time great knocks. Her hundred came off just 50 balls and while she was at it, alongside her skipper, who also managed a brisk fifty, it felt India would mount the highest-ever run-chase in the women's game and do it with room to spare.
Both of them, though, fell close to each other and that thrust Deepti in as the protagonist. She tried her best, hitting boundaries regularly and shepherding the innings along with the lower order. But just as the finish line was dawning, she perished to McGrath and that sealed India's fate, despite doing almost everything they could to win it.
Australia, for a long time, were rattled and they looked anything but themselves. When push came to shove, though, McGrath produced a superb defensive spell that ultimately led to Deepti's dismissal. They also help their own and showed enough composure to hold their nerve and seal yet another series win.
Kim Garth: Not easy at all. I cannot remember if I have ever played a game of cricket (where I had to delve so deep into my plans). Two very good sides going at it. Credit to our bowling group to stick at it after a tough start. We had to go to our T20 plans pretty early to stop the bleed (of runs). Just being really clear with what we were trying to do and then executing it. (Pivotal moment that swung things their way) We took quick wickets in that period (after Harmanpreet's injury break). Grace got Mandhana and we managed to get Harman out as well. That was a big momentum swinger. I don't even know what to say - what a game of cricket. (How to bowl to Mandhana) I don't think I have worked it out just yet. She is in incredible form and is an incredible player. You know you have no time to get into your spell. Cannot miss your line and length. (On if she wants to take this pitch with her everywhere) No, thank you. I never want to play cricket in India ever again if that is the pitch I am playing on (laughs). I am kidding. I love playing cricket in India. Hopefully in the World Cup, we get some more bowler-friendly wickets.
off-pace again, on a length outside off. Renuka does not know what to do with it and dabs it tamely towards short third
slower ball on a length on the stumps. Goud gets forward and chips it a mile up. Long on comes around but Voll cannot reach it on the full
full just outside off. Renuka plants her front foot and shanks it towards long on
off-pace again, although this is fuller on the stumps. Goud backs away and hoicks it towards deep mid wicket
slower ball on a back of a length on leg stump. Goud reads it off the pitch and has no option but to defend
fullish outside off. Goud plants her front foot and powers it enough to mid off's left to sneak in a run
full outside off. Goud drills it towards extra cover
full ball on the pads. Renuka uses the pace and glances it down to fine leg
Renuka is the last batter in
has Healy done enough this time?! Zipped in very full into the pads, and this is a response to Rana walking down. She cannot get her bat down in time and misses. Healy, who has had a tough day behind the stumps, fumbles her collection at the first go, but recovers in time to whip off the bails. There was a sense of frustration in that action too, and Rana was so far down that she could not make it back. India nine down!
this is shorter but again on the stumps, denying Rana much room. She flat-bats it towards mid off but Mooney is sharp enough to field it
length ball on the stumps. Rana backs away but does not create enough room for herself. Drives it on the up to mid off
Hayes: "Not sure I've ever seen (any) Healy struggle this much behind the stumps. Conditions must be tough out there." -- It is quite hot and humid, but Healy will probably be the first to admit she is disappointed with her keeping efforts tonight.
slower ball on a back of a length on middle and leg. Goud cannot come to grips with the lack of pace and plays all around it, with the ball pinging her on the pads
length outside off. Goud thunders it towards extra cover, where Knott sprawls to her right. She then has a shy at the bowler's end and would have dismissed Goud had she hit. Ends up conceding an overthrow eventually - such is this game...
off-pace on a back of a length on leg stump. Rana gives herself room and cuts it towards backward point
length ball wide outside off. Rana skips down the track and absolutely laces it. Cannot beat Knott at extra cover, though
slower ball on a length wide outside off. Goud swings way too early and misses. Healy fumbles too and Rana pinches a bye
shortish on the stumps. Rana backs away a fair bit and slaps it towards mid off. Scampers across for the single and makes it
Garth returns
Jisan: "McGrath showing her qualities, bowled 3 match winning overs on the trot" -- That is the thing about world-class all-rounders. If they are not contributing as well as expected in one suit, they always have another to fall back on.
hard length on off. Rana stabs it towards long on and keeps strike this time
slanted in full on middle and leg. Goud scuffs it towards long on
1W | ||||
2W | ||||
1W | ||||
2W | ||||
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | |
Toss | Australia Women, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2025/26 |
Player Of The Match | |
Player Of The Series | |
Series result | Australia Women won the 3-match series 2-1 |
Match number | WODI no. 1481 |
Hours of play (local time) | 13.30 start, First Session 13.30-16.40, Interval 16.40-17.10, Second Session 17.10-20.40 |
Match days | 20 September 2025 - daynight (50-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee |