 "Indian women smashed 330 against Australia but fans are unhappy. Image: AFP")
India Women made a strong batting statement in their ICC Women’s World Cup match against Australia at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, scoring 330 in 48.5 overs. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal led the charge with classy half-centuries, while the rest of the middle order contributed well. However, fans believe India missed a big opportunity to put Australia completely on the back foot.
Mandhana played a brilliant 80 off 66 balls, while Rawal scored 75 off 96 balls. Harleen Deol (38) and Harmanpreet Kaur (22) added quick runs in the middle, with Jemimah Rodrigues (33) and Richa Ghosh (32), and Amanjot Kaur keeping the scoreboard ticking. Thanks to their knocks, India reach a competitive total of 330 runs before getting bowled out.
Fans react to India’s batting
Despite the big total, fans were frustrated at how India lost quick wickets towards the end. “From 4-294 to 330 all out. A massive opportunity missed by India to bat Australia out of the contest. Chase on under lights,” one fan wrote. Another noted, “If India loses today against Australia, Harmanpreet Kaur should hang her boots and leave the team in middle of the tournament.”
Australia bowlers Sophie Molineux and Annabel Sutherland were the most successful, taking three and five wickets respectively. Megan Schutt and Ashleigh Gardner chipped in with a wicket each, but it wasn’t enough to stop India from piling on the runs. Mandhana broke several records with her explosive knock.
She became the first woman to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year. Mandhana also became the fastest and youngest batter to reach 5,000 runs in women’s ODIs. Before the match, she needed 58 more runs to achieve both milestones, and she reached the mark by hitting a six off Kim Garth on the last ball of the 21st over.