Bhubaneswar : On September 17, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, India’s women’s cricket team etched their name in the record books with a historic 102-run victory over Australia in the second ODI of their three-match series. This momentous win marked the first time any women’s team in the world defeated Australia by a margin exceeding 100 runs in an ODI match.
India posted a formidable total of 292 runs in 49.5 overs, led by the exquisite batting of vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana smashed 117 runs off 91 balls, including 14 fours and 4 sixes, earning the Player of the Match award for her second-fastest ODI century by an Indian woman. Her dynamic innings set the tone for India’s dominance throughout the game.
The bowling attack was equally impressive, with young pacer Kranti Gaud shining by taking three wickets for 28 runs, supported by Deepti Sharma’s all-round performance—adding crucial runs and picking two wickets. India bowled Australia out for just 190 runs in 40.5 overs. Australia’s top scorers, Annabel Sutherland and Ellyse Perry, made 45 and 44 runs respectively, but it was not enough to challenge India’s supremacy on the day.
This victory holds many firsts for Indian women’s cricket: it ended India’s 18-year wait for a home ODI win against Australia, snapped Australia’s 13-match unbeaten streak, and set a new record for Australia’s heaviest defeat in women’s ODIs, surpassing a 52-year-old mark set by England. India also became only the fourth team ever to successfully defend an ODI target against Australia.
With the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 just weeks away, this triumph is a massive confidence booster for India’s squad. Led by the consistent brilliance of Smriti Mandhana, the emergence of new talents like Kranti Gaud, and the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women’s team has sent a clear message: they are formidable contenders on the global stage.
As the series moves to a decider in New Delhi, and with the World Cup looming, the historic win over Australia is more than a milestone—it is a statement of intent and a new chapter in Indian women’s cricket history.
This milestone not only rewrites record books but also heralds India’s rise as a dominant force ready to challenge the best in women’s cricket worldwide.
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