Records Fall as Australia and India Showcase World Cup Credentials in Thrilling ODI Series
New Delhi – A scintillating ODI series between Australia and India culminated in a record-breaking run-fest, solidifying both teams’ status as frontrunners for the 2025 Women’s World Cup. The series, marked by dominant performances from both sides, showcased the very best of women’s cricket and produced a flurry of statistical milestones.
The recent match witnessed an astonishing display of power-hitting, contributing to a new record for boundaries in women’s ODIs. A combined 111 boundaries - a staggering 99 fours and 12 sixes – were struck at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Australia’s formidable batting lineup posted a commanding total, reaching 412, a score that equals their own national record set against Denmark at the 1997 Women’s World Cup in Mumbai. This total also ranks as the joint sixth-highest ever recorded in women’s One Day Internationals. The series opener saw Australia assert their dominance, but India responded emphatically with a 102-run victory in the second ODI, fueled by a brilliant century from Smriti Mandhana.
Mandhana’s back-to-back hundreds place her in elite company, making her only the second batter to achieve the feat in ODI cricket after England’s Tammy beaumont. While her rapid century was notable, it was still surpassed by former Australian captain Meg Lanning, who holds the record for the fastest century in women’s ODIs, achieved in just 45 balls against New Zealand in 2012.
Australia’s victory in the series extends their impressive winning streak against India,maintaining a perfect record in all 11 bilateral ODI series played between the two nations. This win also marks their ninth consecutive ODI series triumph as a narrow 2-1 defeat to England in the 2023 Women’s Ashes.
The back-and-forth nature of the series – a dominant Australian win followed by a complete Indian response, culminating in a high-scoring thriller – underscores the competitive balance between these two powerhouses. This rivalry is a clear indication of why both Australia and India are considered the favorites heading into the 2025 World Cup.
the 50-over tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is scheduled to begin on September 30th. The opening match will feature a highly anticipated clash between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati. Australia will begin their title defense on October 1st against New Zealand in Indore.
For context,the highest aggregate total in both men’s ODIs and List A matches remains at 872,set in a thrilling encounter between South Africa and Australia at Johannesburg in 2006. However, the recent series between Australia and India has undoubtedly raised the bar for excitement and scoring in women’s ODI cricket.
Keywords: Women’s Cricket, Australia, India, ODI, smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning, World Cup 2025, Records, Boundary Count, Cricket News.
