Jhulan Goswami scored the winning runs as India beat Australia Women in a record-breaking match in Mackay on Sunday. India’s quest for 265 was built on half-centuries by Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia before a middle-order collapse jeopardized their hopes. Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Jhulan Goswami, however, saw India over the line in the final over to secure their first win on the tour and avenge their setback in the second ODI.
Australia’s 26-match unbeaten run in ODI cricket came to an end with this loss. The hosts, on the other hand, won the three-match ODI series 2-1. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, the opening batswomen, put on 59 runs for the first wicket as India chased 265 runs. The partnership did not last long, as Mandhana (22) was removed in the 11th over by Ashleigh Gardner. Next, Yastika Bhatia joined Shafali in the middle, and the two kept the visitors’ momentum going.
Yastika was the more aggressive of the two, while Shafali took second place. By the end of the 28th over, both hitters had reached their half-centuries, and India was well on their way to a 153/1 total. In the 30th over, Sophie Molineux bowled Shafali, ending a 101-run partnership for the second wicket (56).
Soon after, Richa Ghosh (0) and Bhatia (64) fell, reducing India to 180/4, still needing 85 runs from 96 balls to win. Mithali Raj (16) and Pooja Vastrakar (3) left in short succession, leaving Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana to carry India’s hopes of victory.
After a 31-run knock, Deepti was sent back to the pavilion, but Sneh Rana kept India in the game. However, after a 30-run inning, the right-hander was removed in the penultimate over, and India needed four runs from the final over to win. Jhulan Goswami (8*) used her experience to help the visitors cross the finish line.
Earlier in the day, Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney scored 67 and 52 runs respectively to help Australia achieve a 264/9 total against India in the third and final ODI at Harrup Park on Sunday.
Opening batters Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy put up 41 runs for the first wicket after electing to bat, but this partnership was ended in the ninth over when Haynes was bowled by Jhulan Goswami (13). The hosts were reduced to 87/4 in the 25th over as Indian spinners dismissed Meg Lanning (0), Healy (35), and Ellyse Perry (26) in a couple of overs.
Half-centuries from Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney in a 98-run stand, as well as a fighting 47 from Tahlia McGrath, helped the hosts achieve a total of more than 260 runs. Jhulan and Pooja each took three wickets for India.
