India Women scripted their first home ODI win over Australia Women since 2007 — here are the biggest positives from this historic triumph.
The Indian women’s cricket team finally broke a long-standing jinx, beating the mighty Australian side on home soil in an ODI for the first time since 2007. This also marked Australia’s biggest defeat in women’s ODI cricket as India became the first team to secure a win by 100+ runs over Australia at least in the last 25 years. The memorable win in the second ODI at New Chandigarh doesn’t only indicate India’s growing maturity as a team, but will boost their confidence ahead of the ODI World Cup 2025, starting September 30.
Pace-heavy gamble pays off
A significant difference between the first two ODIs was India’s team combination. In the series opener, India named only one frontline pacer in Kranti Goud and were left looking thin in the attack. The Harmanpreet Kaur led side went with pace-heavy attack, naming three specialist fast bowlers in the second ODI and it paid off.
Renuka Thakur returned to the team and provided an early breakthrough as she always does. With pressure building on the Aussies, Kranti Goud got a reward with Alyssa Healy’s wicket as India struck twice inside the powerplay. Gaud led the attack with an impressive three-wicket haul, while Arundhati Reddy chipped in with a crucial strike. Together, the pacers accounted for five wickets, ensuring Australia could never build sustained momentum. For a side often dependent on spinners in home conditions, this shift to pace made all the difference.
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Mandhana’s golden touch continues
Earlier, Smriti Mandhana was once again exceptional with the bat, showcasing her class and stamping an authority. Continuing her outstanding run in ODIs, Mandhana, who became the seventh leading run-getter in the first ODI, produced yet another masterclass, smashing a blistering century off just 77 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian woman in the format. Notably, Mandhana also holds the record for fastest century by an India batter against Ireland in 2025. This was her 12th ODI ton, moving to third in the all-time list of century-makers.
Her knock was not just about speed, but also about composure. Mandhana blended aggression with maturity, putting away loose deliveries while rotating the strike efficiently. She once again found an able partner in Pratika Rawal, with the pair adding another solid 50-plus stand at the top. Their consistency as an opening pair is proving to be one of India’s biggest assets heading into the World Cup.
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From sloppy to sharp in the field
India’s first ODI loss also saw some pathetic fielding as they dropped nearly five catches and the ground fielding was below par. But this time around, the team was sharp, committed, and clinical in the field. They took a couple of stunning catches, plenty of diving efforts and it felt like a different energy on the field altogether. The improved fielding not only backed up the bowlers but also lifted the entire team’s confidence.
A confidence booster ahead of the World Cup
What made this victory special was India’s dominance across all departments. At no point did they let Australia sneak into the match, whether with bat, ball, or in the field.
With the ODI World Cup 2025 barely 10 days away, this win couldn’t have come at a better time. It wasn’t just a win, but it’s a statement for the opposition. India showed they can match and beat the best, and they now carry momentum and belief into the biggest tournament of them all.
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