Australia captain Alyssa Healy admitted she had a moment of panic early in India’s innings during their record-breaking run chase in the Women’s World Cup, joking that she wondered whether bowling first was the right call as Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal went on a rampage in the opening overs.
Despite India’s explosive start, Australia pulled off the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history, hunting down 331 in style — thanks largely to Healy’s commanding 142 off 107 balls.
🗣️ “Oh God, what have I done?”
Speaking after the match, Healy recalled second-guessing her decision at the toss:
“I think about eight overs in, I said, ‘Oh God, what have I done?’ I thought we were chasing 380 at one point,” Healy laughed.
“We knew it was a good wicket. The dew didn’t come in, but it still skidded under lights, which helped us while chasing. We just played straight, trusted our shots, and luckily got the job done.”
Mandhana, who looked in sublime form, smashed Sophie Molineux for 14 runs in the eighth over — a flurry that included a four, a six, and another four — en route to a 45-ball fifty. Together with Rawal, she powered India to 155 for no loss in 24.2 overs, putting Australia on the back foot.
🏏 India lose momentum after blazing start
Once Molineux broke the partnership by dismissing Mandhana, India’s middle order couldn’t sustain the tempo.
A late flourish from Jemimah Rodrigues (34) and Richa Ghosh (41) added 54 off 34 balls for the fifth wicket, but Australia’s bowlers — led by Annabel Sutherland and Megan Schutt — restricted India to 330 all out.
“Full credit to our bowlers for pulling that back,” Healy said. “We could easily have been chasing 360-plus, so good job all around — we’ll happily take the two points.”
💪 Healy’s masterclass leads record chase
Healy’s calculated assault at the top turned the chase into a masterclass in pacing. She anchored key partnerships — an 85-run stand with Phoebe Litchfield and a 69-run alliance with Ellyse Perry — setting up Australia’s march to victory.
Even after Perry retired hurt mid-innings, she returned later to steady the chase as India tightened the screws with quick wickets in the final overs.
“I was trying to lock in for a big day,” Healy said. “There was pressure on the top order, but to contribute heavily was great. I’d have liked to finish it off myself, but the girls did the job beautifully.”
Healy’s 142 (107) — peppered with 18 fours and three sixes — earned her the Player of the Match award and cemented her status as one of the finest big-game performers in women’s cricket.
📊 Key Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 – India vs Australia |
| Venue | Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam |
| India’s Total | 330 all out (Mandhana 87, Rawal 71, Ghosh 41) |
| Australia’s Chase | 331/6 in 49.2 overs (Healy 142, Litchfield 46, Perry 38*) |
| Result | Australia won by 4 wickets |
| Record | Highest successful run chase in Women’s ODI history |
🏆 Context: Australia rewrite record books
The win not only gave Australia two crucial World Cup points but also broke the previous record for the highest successful chase in women’s ODIs — surpassing their own 289-run chase against New Zealand in 2012.
The victory reinforced Healy’s leadership credentials and Australia’s dominance under pressure, while India’s strong start showed promise despite the loss.
