Visakhapatnam, India – In a contest that transcended the mere statistics of cricket, Australia`s women`s team, led by the indomitable Alyssa Healy, etched their names into the annals of history on Sunday. Facing a formidable Indian total in the Women`s World Cup 2025, the seven-time champions orchestrated the highest-ever successful run chase in Women`s One Day International (WODI) history, securing a thrilling three-wicket victory. This wasn`t just a win; it was a declaration, a symphony of skill and audacious determination.
A Formidable Challenge Set by India
The stage was set by a resolute Indian batting lineup. Opting to bat first, openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal provided a foundation as sturdy as it was stylish. Mandhana, ever the elegant aggressor, notched a swift 80 runs off just 66 balls, while Rawal provided a composed counterpoint with 75 off 96 deliveries. Their 155-run opening stand not only atoned for previous struggles but also saw Mandhana reach a significant milestone: becoming the fastest and youngest player to amass 5000 runs in WODIs. Despite a mid-innings wobble, with Australian pacer Annabel Sutherland claiming a remarkable five-wicket haul, India concluded their innings at an imposing 330 for seven.
The target of 331 was daunting. The previous record for a successful chase stood at 302, achieved by Sri Lanka just last year. This wasn`t merely about winning a match; it was about scaling a cricketing Everest, a challenge few would have relished.
Healy`s Unyielding Brilliance Ignites the Chase
From the moment Australia began their pursuit, it was clear they harbored no fear. But even in a team of champions, one performance shone with incandescent brilliance: that of skipper Alyssa Healy. Demonstrating a masterclass in controlled aggression, Healy dismantled the Indian bowling attack with a blend of pristine timing and audacious strokeplay. Her supple wrists and unerring eye allowed her to pepper the boundaries with surgical precision, finding gaps where others saw only fielders.
She brought up her fifty in a blistering 35 balls, the fastest of the tournament. The Indian bowlers, who had largely kept her quiet in previous encounters, found themselves on the receiving end of a barrage of fours and sixes, particularly from Kranti Gaud and Sneh Rana. It was an exhibition of batting prowess, a testament to her unique ability to impose herself on the game, often making world-class bowling look rather ordinary.
Momentum Swings and Nervous Moments
Healy found an able partner in Phoebe Litchfield, whose cavalier 85-run opening stand set an aggressive tone. However, cricket, in its delightful cruelty, ensures no victory comes without its share of drama. Left-arm spinner Sri Charani provided India with a glimmer of hope, bowling an excellent spell of 3 for 41, including the crucial wickets of Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland. When veteran Ellyse Perry had to retire hurt, the required run rate, for a fleeting moment, nudged past seven runs an over, prompting a collective gasp from the Australian camp – and perhaps a quiet sigh of relief from the Indian supporters.
But champions find a way. Healy, unflustered, forged another vital partnership with Ashleigh Gardner, adding 95 runs for the fourth wicket. This stand brought Australia firmly back into contention, stabilizing the chase with a blend of powerful hitting and astute rotation of strike. Healy, reaching her sixth WODI hundred—her first as captain—acknowledged the milestone with a simple, understated wave of her bat, a gesture that belied the monumental effort it represented.
Her eventual dismissal for a magnificent 142 off 107 balls, caught at the boundary, was a moment of fleeting relief for India. What followed was a sudden, heart-stopping wobble for Australia. From a commanding 265 for three, they stumbled to 303 for seven, losing Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, and Sophie Molineux in quick succession. The target, once seemingly within reach, suddenly felt distant, the air thick with tension. It was almost as if the cricketing gods decided to test their resolve one last time, just to ensure the record felt truly earned, injecting a dramatic pause before the final act.
Perry`s Resilient Return Seals History
But Australia`s depth and grit are legendary. Ellyse Perry, having recovered from her earlier injury, returned to the crease, her composure a stark contrast to the rapidly escalating pressure. With a steely resolve, she applied the finishing touches, guiding Australia past the record total with three wickets in hand. It was a victory forged in individual brilliance, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering team spirit that refuses to acknowledge defeat until the final ball.
A New Benchmark for Women`s Cricket
This record-breaking chase is more than just a notch in the win column for Australia; it`s a testament to the surging dynamism of women`s cricket. Both teams played with an intensity and skill that captivated audiences, showcasing the sport`s rapid evolution. Australia now sits atop the tournament standings with seven points, while India occupies third place with four. But beyond the points table, this match will be remembered for the sheer audacity of the chase, the brilliance of Alyssa Healy, and the message it sends: in women`s cricket, no target is insurmountable, and every match promises thrilling, record-setting drama. It’s a testament to the fact that the boundaries of what’s possible are constantly being redrawn, game by exhilarating game.
Rupert Hartwell 
Adrian Whitmore