Visakhapatnam – In the fourth match of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, defending champions Australia edged past India in a thrilling encounter by 3 wickets, thanks to a scintillating century by skipper Alyssa Healy and a five-wicket haul by Annabel Sutherland. The match was held at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam.
India Posts Record Total But Falls Short
Batting first, India posted 330 runs in 48.5 overs – their highest-ever total in Women’s World Cup history. The innings was powered by a brilliant 155-run stand between Smriti Mandhana (80 off 66) and Pratika Rawal (75 off 96).
During her knock, Smriti Mandhana achieved a milestone, becoming the youngest Indian woman to reach 5,000 ODI runs.
Despite the strong start, the middle order faltered under pressure. Australia’s Annabel Sutherland turned the game with a deadly spell, finishing with 5 wickets for 40 runs, restricting India from reaching an even bigger total.
Healy’s Heroics Steal the Show
Chasing a daunting target of 331, Australia got off to a flying start with openers Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield. Healy led from the front with a captain’s knock of 142 runs off 107 balls, setting a new record for the highest individual score against India in Women’s World Cup history.
Though India struck back with crucial wickets – with Deepti Sharma, Shri Charani, and Sneh Rana making breakthroughs – a key 95-run partnership between Healy and Ashleigh Gardner (47) tilted the game in Australia’s favour.
After Healy’s dismissal, Ellyse Perry (unbeaten 33) and Kim Garth kept their nerves to guide the Aussies home in the 49th over, completing one of the most remarkable chases in Women’s World Cup history.
India Faces Second Consecutive Defeat, Must-Win vs England Next
This defeat marked India’s second consecutive loss in the tournament, following their earlier defeat to South Africa. The team now faces a crucial clash against England on Sunday, a must-win fixture to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
