Eighteen years and 206 days. That’s how long India had to wait for a home ODI victory against Australia. The last time it happened was back in 2007, and since then entire careers have started and ended without another success. But on Wednesday in New Chandigarh, the long wait finally ended as India Beat Australia by 102 Runs to level the three-match series 1-1.
The scoreline may look comfortable, but the match itself demanded courage and discipline from India. Smriti Mandhana’s century gave India a strong foundation, and the bowlers, both seamers and spinners, stepped up to secure Australia’s biggest defeat in ODI history. This came only days after the visitors had dominated India in the first match at the same venue, making it even more special that India Beat Australia by 102 Runs.
Mandhana’s Magnificent Century
Australia’s captain Alyssa Healy decided to bowl first, thinking her team would adjust better to the heat and flat track. India’s innings turned into a one-woman show. Smriti Mandhana, now shouldering the role of aggressor in the absence of Shafali Verma, played one of her finest knocks.
She smashed a six off her eighth ball and raced to a 45-ball half-century, showing complete control over Australia’s bowlers. Mandhana even got the better of Ashleigh Gardner, one of the toughest match-ups she usually faces. Without Jemimah Rodrigues, who was ruled out due to viral fever, India were one batter short, but Mandhana ensured the scoring never lost momentum. This was the innings that set up the stage for the moment when India Beat Australia by 102 Runs.
Her century came off just 77 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in ODIs. With 12 centuries to her name, only legends Meg Lanning (15) and Suzie Bates (13) have scored more hundreds in women’s ODIs. Australia’s spinners struggled to contain her, as Georgia Wareham leaked 29 runs in her first two overs and Alana King was introduced only after Mandhana’s dismissal.
While Mandhana thrived, others found it tough. Pratika Rawal faced 32 balls but spent 20 of them as dots. Harleen Deol barely got going, and Deepti Sharma made a slow 40 off 53 balls. Australia’s Darcie Brown regained her rhythm late in the innings and took three wickets, ensuring India finished on 292, a total that still proved enough when India Beat Australia by 102 Runs.
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India’s Bowlers Strike Back
Chasing 293, Australia needed their highest ODI run chase ever. India’s seamers, however, had other plans. Renuka Singh, returning from a stress injury, struck early in her very first over. Georgia Voll, playing her first match in India, was dismissed for a five-ball duck. Soon after, Kranti Goud dismissed Healy for the second time in the series, leaving Australia reeling at 25 for 2 after the first ten overs, their lowest powerplay score since the 2017 World Cup. It was a turning point that built momentum toward the final result where India Beat Australia by 102 Runs.
Australia looked for stability through Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry, who added 50 runs together. Perry also built a promising stand with Annabel Sutherland worth 46 runs. However, India missed several chances, including dropped catches by Richa Ghosh, Harleen Deol, and Radha Yadav. Despite these lapses, the bowlers kept the pressure up, knowing that the chance was there to make history again as India Beat Australia by 102 Runs.
There was a worrying moment for India when Renuka left the field clutching her calf. Although she returned later, she did not bowl again. But India’s spinners rose to the occasion. Sneh Rana outfoxed Mooney, with Arundhati Reddy taking a sharp running catch. Radha then dealt a major blow by dismissing Perry with a superb caught-and-bowled effort, making sure that this would be the day when India Beat Australia by 102 Runs.
Closing Out a Famous Win
Once Sutherland was dismissed by Reddy, India could sense victory. Deepti Sharma then struck in back-to-back overs, removing Gardner and Tahlia McGrath with catches in the deep. From there, Australia’s resistance crumbled. Kranti Goud finished things off by bowling Wareham and catching Megan Schutt off her own bowling. That sealed the match where India Beat Australia by 102 Runs in emphatic style.
The win carried huge significance beyond the scorecard. After being thrashed in the opening game, India responded with fire and determination. The fans in New Chandigarh witnessed history being made as India Beat Australia by 102 Runs, ending a drought that had lasted for nearly two decades.
Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant 77-ball century, Renuka Singh’s fiery early spell, and the combined efforts of the spinners made this possible. The match will be remembered not just for the numbers, but for the emotion attached to the fact that India Beat Australia by 102 Runs, a result that restored belief and pride in Indian women’s cricket.
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