Australia’s women’s cricket team etched their names in history on Sunday, completing the highest-ever successful run chase in Women’s One-Day International history to defeat India by three wickets in a nail-biting World Cup encounter. Captain Alyssa Healy’s spectacular 142 was the cornerstone of this record-breaking feat, as the defending champions chased down a formidable target of 331 with an over to spare at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
The match, held on October 12, 2025, was a high-scoring epic that saw records tumble on both sides, including India’s Smriti Mandhana becoming the fastest and youngest player to reach 5,000 ODI runs. Despite a valiant effort from the hosts, who posted their highest-ever World Cup total, it was Australia’s unwavering batting depth and Healy’s masterclass that ultimately decided the contest, solidifying their position at the top of the tournament standings.
Key Facts
- World Record Chase: Australia’s successful chase of 331 runs is the highest in the history of Women’s ODI cricket, surpassing Sri Lanka’s 302 against South Africa in 2024.
- Healy’s Masterful Century: Australian skipper Alyssa Healy scored a breathtaking 142 off 107 balls, her first century as captain and sixth in ODIs. This was the second-highest individual score against India in Women’s ODIs.
- Mandhana’s Milestone: Indian opener Smriti Mandhana scored a blistering 80 off 66 balls, during which she became the fastest (112 innings) and youngest (29 years, 68 days) cricketer to reach 5,000 ODI runs.
- High-Scoring Encounter: The match produced a total of 661 runs, the third-highest aggregate in a Women’s ODI. A record 13 sixes were hit, the most ever in a Women’s World Cup match.
- Sutherland’s Five-For: Australian pacer Annabel Sutherland claimed her maiden five-wicket haul (5/40), which proved crucial in restricting India in the final overs.
A High-Stakes World Cup Clash
Coming into this match, both teams were strong contenders in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Australia, the seven-time champions, remained unbeaten, while India, after a strong start, had just suffered a loss to South Africa at the same venue. The Visakhapatnam pitch proved to be a batting paradise, setting the stage for a classic encounter between two of the world’s top teams. The evening dew was also a factor, with Australian captain Alyssa Healy citing it as a reason for her decision to bowl first after winning the toss.
What Happened: A Tale of Two Innings
India Sets a Formidable Total
Batting first, India got off to a flying start thanks to a magnificent 155-run opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal. Mandhana was the aggressor, reaching her fifty in just 46 balls and treating the crowd to an array of powerful strokes. During her innings, she not only crossed the 5,000-run milestone but also became the first woman to score 1,000 ODI runs in a single calendar year. Rawal played a more measured innings, scoring a solid 75.
After the mammoth opening stand was broken, India’s middle order—comprising Harleen Deol (38), captain Harmanpreet Kaur (22), Jemimah Rodrigues (33), and Richa Ghosh (32)—chipped in with quick-fire contributions. At 294/4 in the 42nd over, India looked set for a total well over 350. However, a late-innings collapse triggered by Annabel Sutherland’s clever use of slower deliveries saw India lose their last six wickets for just 36 runs. They were eventually bowled out for 330 in 48.5 overs, a total that, while their highest in a World Cup, left a feeling that they were 20-30 runs short.
Australia’s Record-Breaking Reply
In response, Australia’s chase was orchestrated by a truly special innings from their captain, Alyssa Healy. She came out with aggressive intent, dispatching the Indian bowlers to all corners of the ground. Healy and Phoebe Litchfield (40) put on a quick 85-run opening stand to lay the foundation. Healy reached her fifty in just 35 balls, the fastest of the tournament.
Despite losing a few wickets in the middle overs and a brief injury scare that saw Ellyse Perry retire hurt, Healy continued her onslaught, reaching her century off just 84 balls. She built a crucial 95-run partnership with Ashleigh Gardner (45) that kept Australia firmly in control.
Healy was eventually dismissed for 142 in the 39th over, thanks to a stunning diving catch by Sneh Rana. Her dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, and with 28 runs still needed, the game was in the balance. However, the experienced Ellyse Perry (47*) returned to the crease and, along with Kim Garth (14*), guided Australia home, sealing the historic victory with a six in the 49th over.
Latest Data & Statistics
- Highest Successful Run Chases in Women’s ODIs:
- 331 – Australia vs India (Vizag, Oct 12, 2025)
- 302 – Sri Lanka vs South Africa (Potchefstroom, 2024)
- 289 – Australia vs New Zealand (North Sydney, 2012)
- Fastest to 5,000 WODI Runs (by innings):
- Smriti Mandhana (India) – 112 innings
- Stafanie Taylor (West Indies) – 129 innings
- Annabel Sutherland’s Bowling Figures (vs. India):
- Overs: 9.5
- Runs: 40
- Wickets: 5
- Economy: 4.10
Official Responses & Quotes
Speaking after the match, a jubilant Alyssa Healy acknowledged the magnitude of the achievement but also the toughness of the chase.
“To chase down 330 in a 50-over game is new territory for us,” she said. “Hopefully we don’t have to do it again.”
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, meanwhile, lamented her team’s inability to capitalize on their strong start.
“Today the way we started we could have got 30-40 runs, we kept losing wickets in the last 6-7 overs, it was a good batting wicket and we didn’t capitalise… She (Charani) has been outstanding. She’s always there whenever the team needs her.”
Impact and What to Watch Next
This victory cements Australia’s status as the team to beat in the tournament, moving them to the top of the points table with seven points from four games. Their batting depth and ability to chase down any total make them a formidable opponent.
For India, this is their second consecutive loss, and while they remain third on the table, they will need to address their death-overs bowling and batting collapses. Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking form is a huge positive, but the team will need a more collective effort to bounce back.
Australia will next face Bangladesh on Thursday at the same venue, while India has a week-long break before their crucial match against England in Indore.
The clash in Visakhapatnam will be remembered as a watershed moment in women’s cricket—a day when records were not just broken but shattered. It was a contest that showcased skill, power, and nerve in equal measure. While Alyssa Healy’s phenomenal century rightfully earned her the Player of the Match award, the game was a testament to the rising standards and thrilling nature of women’s ODIs. As the World Cup progresses, this match has set a new benchmark for what is possible.
