Healy’s ton guides Australia past India in record chase

Alyssa Healy led from the front with a blistering century as Australia sealed a thrilling three-wicket win in their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 clash against India, chasing down 331 with an over to spare. The game went right down to the wire but despite losing wickets at crucial stages, Australia held their nerve to cross the finish line.

The victory takes Australia to the top of the table with seven points from four matches while India slip to third with four points from as many games, their second consecutive defeat of the tournament.

Besides Healy, Ellyse Perry (47*) and Ashleigh Gardner (45) made crucial contributions to help Australia seal a hard-fought win. Among the Indian bowlers, Sree Charani (3/41) stood out with an impressive spell while Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur chipped in with two wickets each.

India appeared to be back in the contest after striking twice in quick succession to remove Gardner and Sophie Molineux but once the previously retired-hurt Perry returned to the crease, she steadied the chase and guided Australia home.

In the first innings, Australia produced a brilliant bowling display in the latter stages, bowling India out for 330. Smriti Mandhana topscored for India with Pratika Rawal providing solid support during their commanding opening stand. However, once the duo departed, India lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping from 294/5 to 330 all out.

Annabel Sutherland (5/40) starred with the ball, claiming a superb five-wicket haul, while Sophie Molineux (3/75) chipped in with key breakthroughs. Ashleigh Gardner and Megan Schutt also picked up a wicket each.

India's innings had its share of highs and lows. Mandhana and Rawal set the tone with a commanding 150-run partnership for the first wicket, the highest opening stand against Australia in the tournament's history.

Mandhana led the charge with a blistering 80 off 66 balls, an innings laced with nine fours and six sixes, while Rawal too played a strong innings with a composed 75 featuring 10 boundaries. Both registered their first half-centuries of the tournament with Mandhana also becoming the youngest and fastest to reach 5000 ODI runs.

The first breakthrough came when Sophie Molineux dismissed Mandhana, breaking the big partnership before Annabel Sutherland removed Rawal. From there, India lost two quick wickets, as Harmanpreet Kaur fell to Megan Schutt and Harleen Deol, who also crossed 1000 ODI runs, was dismissed by Molineux.

Despite the setback, Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues provided late fireworks, adding a lively 50-run stand with their explosive cameos. However, once the duo departed, there was little India could do despite being well-placed at 294/5.