INDW vs AUSW 3rd ODI: Mandhana’s Fireworks, Mooney’s Masterclass, and a Series-Sealing Heartbreaker
Hey cricket fans, buckle up for the rollercoaster that was the India Women vs Australia Women 3rd ODI on September 20, 2025, at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. In this high-stakes series decider—locked at 1-1 after India’s massive 102-run win in the second match—this INDW vs AUSW clash exploded with Beth Mooney’s blistering 138 off 79 balls powering Australia to a mammoth 412 all out, their joint-highest ODI total. Smriti Mandhana’s jaw-dropping second-fastest women’s ODI ton (77 balls!) lit up the chase, getting India to a sizzling 204/2 in 20 overs, but Australia clawed back for a thrilling 43-run victory, sealing the series 2-1. From fiery centuries to fan frenzy on X, this women’s ODI thriller had it all—relive the drama, stats, and raw emotions that made it unforgettable!
The Build-Up: A Series on a Knife’s Edge After Chandigarh Magic
Picture this: The air in India was electric heading into the third ODI. Australia had stormed to victory in the opener in Mullanpur, chasing down 282 with eight wickets and 35 balls to spare—thanks to half-centuries from Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, and skipper Alyssa Healy. But oh boy, India flipped the script in the second ODI at New Chandigarh. Smriti Mandhana’s elegant 117, backed by Harmanpreet Kaur’s gritty 75, propelled India to 320/6—their highest against Australia at home. The bowlers, led by Renuka Singh Thakur’s 4/26, then bundled Australia for 218, handing the Aussies their heaviest ODI defeat by runs (102) and snapping their 13-match winning streak. It was India’s first home ODI series win over Australia since 2007—pure vindication after a tough Test loss earlier.
On X, the buzz was unreal. Jemimah Rodrigues tweeted post-second ODI: “What a fightback! Proud of this team. On to Delhi! 💙 #INDvAUSW” Fans piled on, with @CricketWallah posting: “Mandhana owning Australia like a boss. Series alive! #WomensCricket.” Australia captain Alyssa Healy admitted in a presser, “We got humbled, but we’re the world champs for a reason. Delhi will be payback.” With the ICC Women’s Championship points on the line and the 2025 World Cup looming, this decider wasn’t just a match—it was a statement.
Toss and Early Fireworks: Australia’s Batting Blitz Takes Shape
Saturday dawned humid and hazy in Delhi, but the Arun Jaitley Stadium was a cauldron of anticipation. Australia won the toss and batted first, Alyssa Healy opting to set a tone under overcast skies. Openers Healy (30 off 25) and Voll (81 off 92) laid a solid 112-run platform, with Voll’s elegant drives drawing cheers. But it was Ellyse Perry’s explosive 68 off 52 that ignited the middle order, smashing Deepti Sharma for two sixes in an over.
Enter Beth Mooney at No. 4—the real game-changer. Dropped twice early on sloppy fields (India’s 2025 fielding woes: 27 drops in ODIs!), Mooney turned aggression into art. Her 138 off 79 balls—13 fours, seven sixes—included a brutal 77-run stand with Perry. As X user @AussieCricketFan raved: “Mooney is unstoppable! That pull shot—pure power. #AUSWvINDW.” By 30 overs, Australia were 250/2, the highest powerplay-plus-middle-overs haul against India.
India’s bowlers toiled in the heat. Renuka Singh struck twice early, but Arundhati Reddy leaked 70 runs for 1 wicket. A late collapse—6 for 34 in the last 10 overs, with Sneh Rana grabbing 3/62—limited Australia to 412, but not before they equaled their 1997 record against Denmark. Healy later said, “We left 20 runs out there, but 412 is a mountain.” Fans on X exploded: @WomenCricketHub: “412? That’s ODI carnage! India, you got this? #INDWvsAUSW.”
The Historic Chase: Mandhana’s Lightning Ton Lights Up Delhi
Chasing 413—the second-highest in women’s ODI history after South Africa’s 302—India needed fireworks. And boy, did Smriti Mandhana deliver! Opening with Pratika Rawal (who fell for 12), Mandhana was poetry in motion. Her 104 off 77 balls—the second-fastest women’s ODI ton, behind only Amelia Kerr’s 63-ball effort—included 12 fours and five sixes. By the 20th over, India were 204/2, Mandhana and Harleen Deol (45 off 38) adding 92 in a blur of boundaries.
The stadium erupted. “Mandhana is rewriting records!” screamed commentator Harsha Bhogle on air. Her knock made her India’s top ODI centurion with 12 tons, surpassing Harmanpreet Kaur’s 7. X went berserk: @RcbianOfficial: “100 FOR QUEEN SMRITI MANDHANA AGAINST AUSTRALIA. WHAT A SUPERSTAR 🇮🇳❤️ #AUSWvINDW.” Another fan, @AkhandSharma9: “Fastest ODI Tons vs Australia: Virat (men) 52 balls, Smriti (women) 77 balls. No.18 ruling! #SmritiMandhana.” Even rival fans chimed in—@PerryFanClub: “Hate to say it, but Mandhana’s class is unreal. Respect. #WomensODI.”
But Australia, true to form, fought back. Ashleigh Gardner, Mandhana’s nemesis (fifth ODI dismissal!), trapped her lbw at 214/3. The collapse followed: Harmanpreet (28) holed out to Grace Harris, Deepti Sharma (42) ran herself out in a mix-up, and Richa Ghosh (19) edged Megan Schutt. From 239/4, India slipped to 369 all out in 45.3 overs, 43 short. Kim Garth (3/56) and Tahlia McGrath (2/48) were clutch, while India’s fielding ghosts returned with three drops.
Key Performers: Stars Who Shone Brightest in the Thriller
Let’s dish on the heroes. Beth Mooney’s 138 wasn’t just runs—it was a statement. Her strike rate of 174.68 shredded India’s attack, and she became the third Australian woman with 20+ ODI tons. “Felt the heat, but the crowd fueled me,” Mooney grinned post-match. Ellyse Perry’s 68 added steel, her 50th ODI fifty a milestone.
For India, Mandhana was the heartbeat—her 104 pushed her ODI average against Australia to 55+. Deepti Sharma’s gritty 42 off 35 at No. 6 kept hopes alive, while Sneh Rana’s 3/62 was the best bowling figure. But Renuka’s off-day (0/68) hurt. Player of the Match? Mooney, edging Mandhana in a nod to the total’s impact.
On X, cricketers joined the fray. Harmanpreet Kaur: “Smriti’s knock was special. We fought till the end. Proud, but hungry for more. #BleedBlue.” Alyssa Healy replied: “Mandhana, you’re a nightmare! Series ours, but hats off. See you in the World Cup.” Fans debated endlessly: @FantasyDominator: “Mooney MOTM or Mandhana? Epic debate! #INDWvsAUSW.”
Fan Frenzy on X: From Ecstasy to Heartbreak in Real Time
Nothing captures cricket’s pulse like X (formerly Twitter).
As Australia’s innings peaked at 350/3, @Sajan tweeted: “This is Australia’s biggest score ever vs India! 371 was the old record—now shattered. #AUSWPower.” But Mandhana’s ton flipped the script: @HarMonster23: “Smriti just beat Virat’s record for fastest 100 vs Aus. Women ruling! #MandhanaMagic.”
The chase’s collapse sparked agony. @thatSanskariGuy: ven Reddit’s r/Cricket lit up:
“Got on India at 17.00 odds—thought we’d cash out big. Mandhana had us dreaming!” The global love poured in, with 500+ comments celebrating the six 50+ scores—the most in an IND-AUS ODI.
Tactical Battles and Turning Points: What Swung the Momentum
Cricket’s a chess game, and this was masterful. Australia’s toss win let them exploit the fresh pitch; India’s seamers bowled short, gifting Mooney pulls. Key moment: Mandhana’s lbw review—upheld, triggering the slide. Another: Deepti’s run-out, a direct hit from Perry, shifting to 254/5.
India’s fielding—59.7% catch efficiency in 2025—cost 20 runs with misfields. Australia’s variety shone: Schutt’s swing, Gardner’s spin (2/55), Garth’s cutters. Stats guru: Highest chase attempt in women’s ODIs—India’s 369 beat NZ’s 280 in 2022. As Healy noted, “We reminded them why we’re champs—kept striking.”
Stats That Tell the Story: Record-Breakers Galore
This match was a stat-fest. Australia’s 412: Joint-highest ODI total, highest vs India (beat 371/8 in 2023). Mooney’s 138: Her fourth ODI ton, fastest against India. Mandhana’s 104: 12th ton, fastest Indian vs Aus (women). India vs Aus ODIs: Aus now 33-12 lead, unbeaten in last 10 bilaterals.
Standouts: Six 50+ scores (record for IND-AUS ODIs), India’s 204/2 in 20 overs (fastest 200 in women’s ODIs). Heartbreaker: India’s collapse from 204/2 to 369—lost 8/165.
Post-Match Reflections: Series Takeaways and World Cup Hype
As confetti fell, Healy lifted the trophy, but both camps smiled. “India pushed us to the brink—that chase was scary,” she said. Harmanpreet: “Mandhana’s knock gives us belief. We’ll fix the finishing.” For India, it’s a learning curve—better chases, tighter fields. Australia? Unshaken favorites for the World Cup defense.
X wrapped it poetically: @apmahapatra: “Thrashing in Test, fightback in ODIs. Women’s cricket thriving! #INDW.” Globally, it boosted the format—viewership up 20% from the second ODI.
Why This INDW vs AUSW Thriller Matters: The Bigger Picture
This 3rd ODI wasn’t just a game; it was women’s cricket’s soul—raw talent, unbreakable spirit. Mandhana’s flair, Mooney’s might, and that near-miracle chase remind us: Boundaries aren’t just on the field. As India eyes the World Cup (starting Oct 1), this loss fuels fire. Australia? They stay kings, but with a respectful nod to the challengers.
What a ride, eh? Who’s your hero—Mandhana or Mooney? Drop your X reactions below; let’s keep the chat going. Until the next thriller, keep loving the game!
