(Cricket news) India lost the 1st W-ODI convincingly by 9 wickets. The 2nd W-ODI was a nail biter which India should have won but couldn't. India won the 3rd W-ODI by chasing 265 runs which is their highest ever run chase. Even though India lost the series, they did break Australia's highest winning streak of 26 wins. There are a lot of positives for Mithali Raj's team to build on and prepare for the World Cup in March 2022.
Mithali Raj lost the toss for the 3rd consecutive time as Australia elected to bat first. Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner continued their great form as the middle order pair scored half centuries. Cameo's by Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy took Australia to a commanding total of 264. Veteran Jhulan Goswami was the pick of the bowlers as she picked up 3/37 from her 10 overs. Pooja Vastrakar provided good support as she picked up 3/46.
Chasing 265 runs, Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana got off to a great start as the pair put together 59 runs in just 10 overs. Ashleigh Gardner picked up the invaluable wicket of Mandhana to break the partnership. Yastika Bhatia walked in at number 3 to keep the left and right hand combination going. Verma and Bhatia added 100 runs for the 2nd wicket before Sophie Molineux cleaned up Verma's stumps with a beauty. The wickets then started tumbling as India lost Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia and Pooja Vastrakar in double quick time courtesy of two wickets from Annabel Sutherland and one from Stella Campbell. After 39 overs India were 195/5 with 71 required from 66 deliveries.
Deepti Sharma turned the heat on as she started taking on the short ball and dispatching it to the ropes. Mithali on the other end was struggling to score runs and was clean bowled by Sutherland. Sneh Rana walked in and got a bit of luck after getting a boundary from an outside edge and having two of her catches dropped. Deepti quick fire innings of 31 was brought to an end by Tahlia McGrathe with India still requiring 24 off 23. Sneh Rana made the most of her luck as she hit a hat-trick of McGrath's 47th over. Rana looked like she would guide India to victory but Nicola Carey had other plans as she got rid of Rana with the equation down to 6 off 8 deliveries. Australia had a glimmer of hope but Jhulan Goswami and Meghna Singh were disciplined enough to get India over the line and end Australia's run of 26 consecutive victories.
The W-ODI series ended 2-1 in favour of Australia. The 4-day one off Test will be played on the 30th September before the teams square up for a 3-match T20I series.
