India suffered a dramatic defeat at the hands of Australia in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 as the visitors successfully chased a massive total of 331 runs, winning by three wickets on October 12. India seemed in control initially, with openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal putting together a strong 155-run partnership. Mandhana scored 80, while Rawal contributed 75, providing a promising platform for a big total.
However, India faltered in the final overs, losing six wickets for just 36 runs, ultimately finishing at 330 all out. Annabel Sutherland’s exceptional bowling, taking 5/40, played a decisive role in turning the game in Australia’s favor. The collapse in the closing stages left India frustrated and questioning their approach in the crucial moments of the innings.
Harmanpreet Kaur said, “The way we started, we could have added more 30-40 runs. We missed runs in the last six overs and that cost us.”
Key Performances from Australia
Australia’s innings were anchored by a sensational knock from Alyssa Healy, who scored 142 runs off 107 balls, dominating the Indian attack. Her aggressive batting ensured that Australia remained ahead in the chase despite the challenging target. Ellyse Perry supported the chase with a calm unbeaten 47, guiding her team to victory with an over to spare.
Healy praised the contribution of her team’s bowlers, noting that their disciplined bowling effort kept the target within reach and prevented India from posting an even bigger total. The Australians’ ability to handle pressure and capitalize on India’s late collapse underscored their experience and composure in high-stakes matches.
Reflections and Lessons for India
India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, expressed her disappointment after the match, acknowledging that the team had missed opportunities to add crucial runs in the last six overs. She emphasized that the strong start should have been converted into a bigger total. Kaur also highlighted concerns over India’s five-bowler strategy, which had previously helped the team maintain balance but did not produce the desired results this time.
Kaur remained optimistic, insisting, “Two bad games are not going to make a difference,” and emphasizing the importance of analyzing their performance and refining strategies for upcoming matches.
Shree Charani emerged as the only standout bowler with figures of 3/41, while the rest of the attack struggled. Despite the setbacks, Kaur remained optimistic, insisting that two poor results would not define the team’s campaign. She stressed the importance of reflection and discussion to refine strategies and improve performance in upcoming matches.
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