CWC Women 2025: India produced their highest-ever ODI World Cup total, posting an imposing 330 all out in 48.5 overs against defending champions Australia in a thrilling 13th match at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on October 12, 2025. Despite a dramatic late collapse that saw them lose six wickets for just 36 runs, India’s aggressive batting display has set Australia their highest-ever chase target in Women’s World Cup history.
Match Situation – CWC Women 2025
- Toss: Australia won the toss and elected to field first
- Venue: Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
- Attendance: Sold out – 15,087 spectators
- India’s Total: 330 all out in 48.5 overs
- Australia’s Target: 331 runs to win (would be highest successful chase in women’s ODI history)
- Current Status: Australia’s chase is underway
First Innings Breakdown: India’s Record-Breaking Total
The Explosive Opening Partnership
India’s innings began with purpose and intent as the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and debutant Pratika Rawal delivered exactly what the team needed after their recent loss to South Africa. The duo put together a spectacular opening stand that set the foundation for India’s mammoth total.
Opening Partnership Highlights:
- Partnership Value: 189 runs
- Duration: Dominated the first 30 overs
- Strike Rate: Both batters maintained aggressive intent throughout
- Psychological Impact: Put immediate pressure on Australia’s bowlers
Smriti Mandhana’s Milestone Innings (80 off 66 balls)
India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana produced a masterclass in aggressive batting, scoring a brilliant 80 runs off just 66 deliveries. Her innings was peppered with elegant stroke play and calculated aggression that has become her trademark in limited-overs cricket.
Mandhana’s Historic Achievements:
- 5,000 ODI Runs: Became only the second Indian woman to reach 5,000 runs in Women’s ODIs, joining the legendary Mithali Raj in this exclusive club
- 1,000 Runs in 2025: Created history by becoming the first-ever player (male or female) globally to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year in Women’s ODIs
- Strike Rate: Maintained a blistering strike rate of 121.21, showcasing her aggressive approach
- Shot Selection: Her trademark drives and flicks were on full display against quality Australian bowling
Mandhana’s innings was a perfect blend of classical technique and modern-day aggression. She targeted both pace and spin with equal confidence, ensuring India never lost momentum during the crucial powerplay and middle overs.
Brilliant batting performance from Indian batters 🙌#WomensWorldCup #indvsaus #WorldCup #Indiancricketteam #bharatarmy #coti🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/pcKAzvAIFC
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) October 12, 2025
Pratika Rawal’s Dream Debut (75 runs)
Making her World Cup debut in front of a packed home crowd, young opener Pratika Rawal announced her arrival on the biggest stage with a composed and confident 75-run knock. The youngster showed remarkable maturity beyond her years, handling the pressure of facing the defending champions with aplomb.
Rawal’s Debut Highlights:
- Played the perfect supporting role to Mandhana initially
- Accelerated brilliantly once set, matching her senior partner stroke for stroke
- Showed excellent temperament in her first World Cup match
- Her partnership with Mandhana provided India the platform for a massive total
Rawal’s performance vindicated the team management’s faith in her abilities. Her selection had raised some eyebrows before the tournament, but she silenced all doubters with a mature innings that combined patience with aggression at crucial junctures.
The Middle Order Contributions
After the openers laid a solid foundation, India’s middle order attempted to capitalize on the excellent start. At the 30-over mark, India were cruising at 192 for 1, seemingly heading toward a total well beyond 350.
Harleen Deol (38 runs): Harleen Deol provided the necessary impetus with a quickfire 38-run cameo. Her innings ensured that India maintained their aggressive approach even after losing the openers. Deol’s ability to find boundaries during the middle overs prevented Australia from building pressure.
Jemimah Rodrigues (33 runs): The Mumbai batter played her natural game, contributing a valuable 33 runs. Rodrigues looked comfortable at the crease and seemed set for a bigger score before falling during India’s late collapse.
The Dramatic Collapse: From 294/4 to 330 All Out
What should have been a fairytale finish to India’s innings turned into a nightmare in the final overs. From a comfortable position at 294 for 4 in the 42.5th over, India lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs, getting bowled out with seven deliveries still remaining.
The Collapse Timeline:
- Position at 42.5 overs: 294/4 (heading toward 360+)
- Final Position: 330 all out in 48.5 overs
- Wickets Lost: 6 wickets in just 6 overs
- Runs Added: Only 36 runs in the final phase
- Impact: Cost India approximately 30-40 potential runs
This collapse, while concerning, didn’t diminish the overall quality of India’s batting performance. The aggressive intent shown throughout the innings represented exactly the kind of cricket India needed to play after their loss to South Africa.
Australia’s Bowling Performance
Annabel Sutherland’s Five-Wicket Haul (5-40)
The star performer with the ball for Australia was undoubtedly Annabel Sutherland, who produced a brilliant spell of seam bowling to claim her maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. Her figures of 5 for 40 in 9.5 overs single-handedly brought Australia back into the contest when India seemed to be running away with the match.
Sutherland’s Impact:
- Crucial Breakthroughs: Removed both set openers and triggered the middle-order collapse
- Death Bowling Mastery: Executed her yorkers and slower balls perfectly in the death overs
- Economic Spell: Maintained pressure despite India’s aggressive approach
- Career-Best Figures: This performance marked her best bowling figures in ODI cricket
Sutherland’s ability to swing the ball both ways while maintaining consistent line and length made her virtually unplayable during crucial phases. Her five-wicket haul came at the perfect time for Australia, preventing India from posting a total that might have been completely out of reach.
HER FIRST ODI FIVE-FOR!
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 12, 2025
Annabel Sutherland rises to the occasion in a big World Cup game 👏 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1lpbKLdiHD
Sophie Molineux’s Support Role (3-75)
Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux complemented Sutherland’s brilliance with three crucial wickets, though she proved expensive, conceding 75 runs. Molineux’s spell highlighted the challenges faced by Australia’s bowling unit on a batting-friendly Visakhapatnam surface.
Molineux’s Contribution:
- Provided crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs
- Kept India’s scoring rate in check during certain passages
- Her partnership with Sutherland proved decisive in restricting India
☝️ Smriti Mandhana
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 12, 2025
☝️ Harleen Deol
☝️ Deepti Sharma
After going for 16 in her first over, Sophie Molineux picks up three big wickets in her comeback game, which also included a wicket maiden in the 38th over 👏 pic.twitter.com/EtLnRHO8TP
Other Australian Bowlers
The rest of Australia’s bowling attack struggled to contain India’s aggressive batting approach. The pitch offered little assistance to the bowlers, and India’s batters capitalized on every scoring opportunity, particularly during the first 40 overs.
Historical Context and Records
India’s Highest World Cup Total
India’s 330 represents their highest-ever total in ODI World Cup history, surpassing all previous benchmarks. This aggressive approach signals a shift in India’s batting philosophy in major tournaments.
Highest Total Against Australia in World Cups
The 330-run total is now the biggest score ever posted against seven-time champions Australia in Women’s World Cup history. The previous highest was 298 by England, making India’s achievement even more significant.
Previous Record: 298 by England
New Record: 330 by India (October 12, 2025)
This statistic highlights the dominance of India’s batting performance, particularly considering Australia’s reputation as the best fielding side in women’s cricket.
Australia’s Record Chase Challenge
To win this match, Australia would need to achieve the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history. The current record stands at 326, meaning Australia must surpass that mark in front of a hostile crowd in Visakhapatnam.
Chase Context:
- Target: 331 runs
- Current Record: 326 (highest successful chase in women’s ODIs)
- Venue Factor: Partisan home crowd of 15,087
- Pressure: Must win to maintain unbeaten record
Strategic Analysis: India’s First Innings
What Went Right for India
1. Aggressive Intent from Ball One: India’s approach reflected the modern ODI template of sustained aggression. Both openers attacked from the start, never allowing Australia to settle into a rhythm.
2. Exceptional Partnership Building: The 189-run opening stand provided the perfect platform. This partnership exemplified the ideal combination of classical technique and modern-day power hitting.
3. Milestone Performances: Mandhana’s historic achievements added extra significance to an already remarkable innings, providing momentum and confidence to the entire team.
4. Utilizing Home Conditions: India’s batters showed excellent game awareness, understanding the true nature of the Visakhapatnam pitch and exploiting its batting-friendly characteristics.
Areas of Concern
1. The Late Collapse: Losing six wickets for 36 runs in the final overs represents a significant failure in game management. India should have posted 360+ based on their position at the 40-over mark.
2. Inability to Finish Strong: The lower middle order failed to capitalize on the excellent foundation laid by the top order. Better execution in the death overs could have made the total virtually unassailable.
3. Shot Selection Under Pressure: Several dismissals in the final phase resulted from poor shot selection rather than exceptional bowling, suggesting mental errors cost India crucial runs.
What to Expect in Australia’s Chase
The Challenge Ahead
Australia faces an unprecedented challenge. While they possess match-winners throughout their batting lineup, the target of 331 represents uncharted territory in women’s ODI cricket. Several factors will influence their chase:
1. Early Wickets Crucial: India’s bowlers must strike early to put pressure on Australia’s middle order. The opening partnership between Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield will be critical.
2. Middle Overs Control: If Australia’s top order survives the new ball, their experienced middle order (Perry, Mooney, McGrath) could take the game away from India in the middle overs.
3. Home Crowd Support: The sold-out Visakhapatnam crowd will create an intimidating atmosphere for Australia’s batters, potentially affecting their shot selection and decision-making.
4. Required Run Rate Management: Australia will need to maintain a run rate of approximately 6.8 runs per over throughout their innings – a challenging task even for the world champions.
India’s Bowling Strategy
India’s bowling attack will need to execute their plans perfectly to defend 330. Key strategies likely to be employed:
1. Aggressive New Ball Bowling: Renuka Singh and other pace bowlers must target early breakthroughs, particularly the dangerous Alyssa Healy.
2. Spin in Middle Overs: India’s spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav must control the middle overs, preventing Australia from building momentum.
3. Death Overs Execution: The final ten overs will be crucial. India’s death bowling, which has been inconsistent, needs to deliver when it matters most.
Expert Reactions and Analysis
Cricket experts have praised India’s aggressive batting display while acknowledging that the late collapse might prove costly. The consensus suggests that 330 is a competitive total, but not insurmountable for a quality batting lineup like Australia’s.
Former cricketers have highlighted Mandhana’s milestone innings as potentially career-defining, noting that her form in 2025 has been nothing short of phenomenal. Pratika Rawal’s debut performance has also received widespread acclaim, with many suggesting she could become a regular fixture in India’s top order for years to come.
The Bigger Picture: Tournament Implications
This match carries enormous significance for both teams’ semifinal qualification prospects. India desperately needed a strong performance after their loss to South Africa, and this aggressive batting display has reignited their campaign.
For Australia, maintaining their unbeaten record remains paramount. A successful chase would not only keep their winning streak alive but also send a strong psychological message to other teams that even massive totals cannot intimidate the defending champions.
Conclusion: A Nail-Biting Finish Awaits
India’s first innings performance of 330 all out has set up what promises to be one of the most exciting chases in Women’s World Cup history. While the late collapse prevented them from posting an even more daunting total, India’s aggressive batting display has given them an excellent chance of defeating the defending champions.
The match now hangs in the balance. Can Australia’s champion batting lineup achieve the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history? Or will India’s bowlers defend their impressive total in front of a passionate home crowd?
As Australia begins their chase, cricket fans worldwide are witnessing potential history in the making. Regardless of the final outcome, India’s first innings has already made this match one of the tournament’s standout encounters, featuring record-breaking performances, dramatic collapses, and the tantalizing prospect of an unprecedented chase.
The second innings promises to be equally compelling, with Australia’s batting prowess pitted against India’s bowling attack and the intimidating Visakhapatnam crowd. The stage is set for a memorable conclusion to what has already been a remarkable cricket match.