Visakhapatnam, October 12, 2025 – In a pulsating ICC Women’s World Cup league clash at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium, Australia pulled off the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history, overhauling India’s mammoth 330 to secure a thrilling three-wicket win with one over to spare. Captain Alyssa Healy’s masterful 142 off 107 balls, laced with 13 fours and five sixes, anchored the pursuit, earning her Player of the Match honors and propelling Australia to the top of the points table.
Opting to bat first, India raced to 192 for 1 after 30 overs, powered by openers Pratika Rawal’s gritty 80 and Smriti Mandhana’s elegant strokeplay, forging a record 155-run stand—the highest against Australia in World Cups. But a dramatic collapse ensued, with the hosts folding for 330 all out in 48.5 overs after adding just 138 for 9 more wickets. Australia’s Annabel Sutherland claimed a maiden five-wicket haul (5/60), dismantling the middle order, while spinner Ashleigh Gardner chipped in with 2/54.
Chasing 331, Australia lost early wickets but Healy’s fireworks, combined with Beth Mooney’s 40 and Ellyse Perry’s unbeaten 47 off 37 balls (including a match-winning six), kept the momentum alive. India fought back valiantly—Shree Charani (3/62), Amanjot Kaur (2/55), and Deepti Sharma (2/48) claiming six wickets—but couldn’t defend the total on a flat track that yielded 661 runs, the third-highest aggregate in women’s ODIs. The match featured a World Cup-record 13 sixes, underscoring its high-octane drama.
With three wins from three, Australia (9 points) leads the standings, followed by England (6 points) and India (4 points, two wins, one loss). This defeat marks India’s second straight setback after their opener against Sri Lanka, piling pressure ahead of tougher fixtures.
Meanwhile, in Colombo, Pakistan women’s team endured a rain-hit practice session at the Colts Cricket Ground ahead of their remaining four league games at R Premadasa Stadium. Persistent showers truncated the night session to just two hours, focusing on physical drills, batting, bowling, and fielding exercises. Coaches imparted targeted guidelines to sharpen skills, emphasizing adaptability to Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions.
The 2025 campaigners, seeking to rebound from early losses, face England on October 15, New Zealand on October 18, South Africa on October 21, and hosts Sri Lanka on October 24—all starting at 3:00 PM local time. Captain Fatima Sana stressed team unity, with the squad eyeing upsets to clinch a semi-final spot in the eight-team tournament running until November 2.
As the World Cup heats up across India and Sri Lanka, Australia’s record romp sets a benchmark, while Pakistan’s grit in the face of weather woes promises more intrigu
