Healy Heroics Steer Australia to Record-Breaking Win Over India

Image: ©ICC

Alyssa Healy produced one of the finest innings in World Cup history as Australia chased down 331 to beat India by three wickets in Visakhapatnam, the highest successful chase ever recorded in women’s One-Day Internationals.

The Australian captain, 35, struck a breathtaking 142 off just 107 balls, laced with 21 boundaries and three towering sixes, to script a memorable comeback after India’s openers had earlier lit up the ACA-VDCA Stadium with a century stand.

The victory took Australia back to the top of the group stage standings with seven points from four matches, while India, despite their bright start, slipped to third with four points.

The hosts began in dazzling fashion after being sent in to bat. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal tore into the Australian new-ball attack, timing the ball sweetly and rotating strike with precision.

Mandhana, all grace and authority through the offside, reached her 33rd ODI fifty in style and crossed the 5000-run milestone in women’s ODIs with a sublime six over extra cover. At the other end, Rawal impressed with her composure, raising her half-century with a crisp straight drive as the duo powered India to 155 without loss.

But Australia clawed their way back after both openers departed in quick succession. Mandhana fell for 80, caught in the deep off Sophie Molineux, and Rawal followed soon after, giving Annabel Sutherland her first wicket.

From 155 for no loss, India stumbled to 192 for two. Harmanpreet Kaur (22) and Harleen Deol (38) added runs without converting starts, before a fiery burst from Sutherland dismantled the middle order.

Despite a brief flourish from Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh, who added 50 off 30 balls, India’s innings faded under Sutherland’s relentless pace and precision. Her five for 40, her career-best in World Cups, wrapped up the innings for 330 in 48.5 overs.

Chasing 331 was always going to test Australia, but Healy’s intent from the start silenced the home crowd. Her fifty came off just 35 balls, an exhibition of clean hitting and sharp placement.

Partnered by Phoebe Litchfield, she set the tone with a commanding 85-run opening stand before Charani dismissed Litchfield for 40. Ellyse Perry then joined her skipper, and the two looked untroubled, pushing the score to 154 for one.

Perry retired hurt on 32, and quick wickets of Mooney and Sutherland revived India’s hopes. Yet Healy, calm and authoritative, reached her sixth ODI century and her first as captain, raising her bat to a standing ovation.

She eventually fell for 142, undone by a brilliant diving catch from Sneh Rana, but by then the equation was within touching distance. Gardner’s 45 under pressure and Perry’s composed return at the crease ensured Australia didn’t falter at the finish.

Final Score

India: 330 all out in 48.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 80, Pratika Rawal 75; Annabel Sutherland 5/40, Sophie Molineux 3/75)Australia: 331/7 in 49 overs (Alyssa Healy 142, Ellyse Perry 47*; Sree Charani 3/41, Deepti Sharma 2/52)

Result: Australia won by three wickets