The ICC Women`s World Cup 2025 witnessed an unforgettable spectacle in Visakhapatnam today, as Australia`s seemingly insatiable hunger for victory led them to achieve the highest successful chase in the history of women`s One Day Internationals. In a match that ebbed and flowed with nail-biting intensity, captain Alyssa Healy`s breathtaking century and Ellyse Perry`s unwavering resolve sealed a remarkable three-wicket victory over tournament hosts India, leaving a packed stadium to ponder what might have been.
India`s Batting Blueprint: Aggression Meets Unsettling Collapse
India, playing on a surface touted as one of the tournament`s best for batting, began their innings with a clear statement of intent. The opening pair of Smriti Mandhana (80) and Pratika Rawal (75) laid a formidable foundation, stitching together a superb 155-run stand. Mandhana, in particular, was in scintillating form, not only reaching her fifty off just 46 balls but also marking her calendar year with over 1000 ODI runs and becoming the fastest woman to 5000 ODI runs – milestones that speak volumes of her enduring class.
For a significant portion of their innings, India appeared destined for a colossal total exceeding 350. Aggression, a buzzword often discussed but sometimes sparingly applied, seemed to be their mantra. However, the narrative took a disconcerting turn. From a commanding 192 for 1 after 30 overs, a late and dramatic collapse saw India lose 9 wickets for just 138 runs in the final 30 overs, ultimately curtailing their score at 330. Annabel Sutherland, celebrating her birthday, proved to be Australia`s chief wrecker, registering a maiden ODI five-for (5-40) with clever variations in pace and length, effectively throttling India`s momentum and leaving them just short of their ambitious target.
The Colossal Chase: A Target That Demanded Perfection
Chasing 331 against a home side, buoyed by a raucous crowd, is a task that would test the mettle of any team. For Australia, it was merely another challenge to conquer. Their response began cautiously, accumulating 25 runs in the first five overs before a calculated gear shift saw them plunder 57 in the next five. Phoebe Litchfield provided early impetus with three consecutive boundaries, but it was the arrival of Captain Healy that truly signaled Australia`s intent.
Healy`s Heroics: A Captain`s Knock for the Ages
Alyssa Healy`s innings was nothing short of a masterclass. Battling cramps, she single-handedly dismantled the Indian bowling attack, especially their spinners. Her fast hands and aggressive sweeps found gaps with uncanny precision, as she dispatched 21 fours and three sixes across the ground. She raced to a brilliant century off just 84 balls, her third in a World Cup and her first as captain, embodying the relentless spirit of her team. Even when India`s left-arm spinner N Shree Charani (3-41) managed to apply some brakes with a display of terrific control, Healy remained largely undeterred. Her dismissal at 142, caught off a sliced drive, provided a fleeting moment of hope for India, but by then, the damage was largely done.
Perry`s Persistence and Garth`s Composure Seal the Deal
The chase, however, was far from over. Ellyse Perry, who had earlier retired hurt due to cramps when Australia was cruising at 154 for 1, made a heroic return at the fall of Ash Gardner`s wicket. With Australia needing 32 off 36 balls and the pressure mounting, Perry`s experience and calm presence were invaluable. She remained unbeaten on 47, demonstrating resilience and calculated aggression. The tension reached its peak when Amanjot Kaur dismissed Sophie Molineux, leaving Australia seven down and needing 32 runs with limited resources.
This is where Kim Garth stepped up. Joining Perry, she contributed a crucial, unbeaten 14 off just 23 balls, including a superbly executed reverse-paddle off Sneh Rana in the penultimate over. It was Perry, however, who delivered the final, decisive blow, hoisting her WPL teammate Sneh Rana down the ground to secure the victory with six balls to spare. The sight of Perry and Garth walking off, having sealed the highest chase in women`s ODI history, was a testament to Australian grit.
India`s Conundrum: Bowling Depth and Recurring Collapses
For India, this second successive heartbreak in the World Cup – following their failure to defend 252 against South Africa – raises uncomfortable questions. The decision to field just five specialist bowlers was brutally exposed on a batting-friendly pitch. Kranti Gaud had a second off day, conceding 73 runs without a wicket, while Sneh Rana, usually a reliable performer, was expensive, leaking 85 from her full quota. The lack of alternatives left captain Harmanpreet Kaur with few strategic options against Healy`s onslaught.
Furthermore, India`s recurring batting collapses remain a significant concern. Despite displaying commendable aggression and building strong platforms, their inability to convert starts into monumental innings and their tendency to crumble under pressure continue to haunt them. As the host nation, these consecutive losses, particularly against key rivals like Australia, place them under immense pressure as they strive for a semi-final berth.
A Classic Encounter and a Road Ahead
This match will undoubtedly be etched in cricket history as an all-time classic. It was a showcase of exceptional batting, strategic gambles, and the unyielding spirit of competition. Australia`s ascent to the top of the World Cup table, with three wins from four games, reaffirms their dominance in women`s cricket.
For India, the road ahead is challenging but not insurmountable. With England up next in a week, a swift regrouping is paramount. The lessons from Visakhapatnam — balancing aggression with consolidation in batting and bolstering bowling depth — will be critical if they are to reignite their World Cup campaign and finally break their five-year drought against top-tier opponents in major tournaments. The World Cup, after all, is a marathon, not a sprint, but even in a marathon, consistent performance is key.
