Mandhana’s record ton not enough as Australia wrap up series in high-scoring Delhi clash

Mandhana’s record century goes in vain as Australia clinch series in Delhi thriller.

Smriti Mandhana’s blazing century couldn’t prevent India from losing the high-scoring third ODI to Australia by 43 runs at Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 20. Mandhana became the fastest Indian woman to score an ODI hundred, reaching 100 in just 50 balls, finishing with 125 off 63 deliveries with 17 fours and five sixes.

India looked on course after Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (52 off 35) stitched a 121-run partnership for the third wicket, taking the hosts past 200 in 20 overs. But Kim Garth’s crucial wickets of Harmanpreet and Mandhana broke the momentum, leaving India at 216/4 and struggling to keep up with the required rate.

Deepti Sharma’s fighting 72 off 58 kept India in contention, with support from Sneh Rana (35 off 41), but Australia’s bowlers cleaned up the tail as India were all out for 369 in 47 overs. Megan Schutt (2/53) and Kim Garth (3/69) starred with the ball, giving Australia a 2-1 series victory.

Earlier, Beth Mooney’s blistering 138 off 75 balls—including 23 fours—powered Australia to a massive 412, their joint-highest ODI score, supported by Georgia Voll (81) and Ellyse Perry (68). For India, Arundhati Reddy (3/86), Renuka Singh (2/79), and Deepti Sharma (2/75) were the pick of the bowlers.