Xtra Time Web Desk: Mithali Raj led India women team finally came good against Australia women as they halted their 26 ODI winning streak in the third and final ODI on Sunday. The Indian women also registered their successful run chase ever, going past the previous best of 248 against South Africa women at Vadodara in 2019.
Young Yastika Bhatia hit her maiden half-century, while Shafali Verma too shone with the bat at the top as India registered a two-wicket win over Australia to avoid a clean sweep. Australia won the three-match series 2-1.
Chasing a competitive 265, Verma scored 56 off 91 balls, while Bhatia hit an aggressive 64 off 69 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries to lay the foundation of the visitors’ win.
Towards the end, Deepti Sharma (31 off 30) and Sneh Rana (30 off 27) shared 33 runs for the seventh wicket to take India closer to victory. India then suffered a jolt when Deepti departed in the 47th over but Rana was in ominous form and looked in a hurry, hitting Tahlia McGrath for three consecutive boundaries in the same over.
Jhulan Goswami (8 not out) finished off the chase with a boundary with three balls to spare to end Australia’s 26 match winning streak.
Annabel Sutherland was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with figures of 3 for 30.
Earlier, Indian bowlers again let Australia off the hook as the home team recovered from a wobble to post a competitive 264 for nine. Struggling at 87 for four in the 25th over, the hosts recovered through a 98-run stand between Ashleigh Gardner (67) and last-match centurion Beth Mooney (52). Tahlia McGrath chipped in with a brisk 47 off 32 balls.
For India, medium pacer Pooja Vastrakar finished with figures of 3/46, while veteran seamer Jhulan Goswami picked up three wickets giving away 37 runs.
Scores:
Australia women: 264/9 in 50 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 67, Beth Mooney 52; Jhulan Goswami 3/37, Pooja Vastrakar 3/46).
India women: 266 for 8 in 49.3 overs (Yastika Bhatia 64, Shafali Verma 56; Annabel Sutherland 3/30).