India Women and Australia Women faced off in the second ODI at New Chandigarh on September 17, 2025. After Australia elected to field, India set out to post a commanding total under bright skies and a lively surface. From the outset the home side played with intent, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and opening partner Pratika Rawal laying the foundation before Smriti Mandhana took centre stage and seized control of the contest with a breathtaking innings.
Mandhana produced a masterclass in strokeplay to race to her 13th ODI century off just 77 balls. Early in the innings she demonstrated her intent, driving through the covers and lofting over mid-off to bring up her half-century in 45 deliveries. Australia’s Tahlia McGrath offered a length ball outside off when Mandhana rocked onto the front foot and dispatched it over mid-off for a boundary to reach three figures in style. That shot marked the second-fastest hundred by an Indian woman in ODIs and sent the crowd into raptures.
India maintained a healthy run rate through the middle overs as Deepti sharma and Harleen deol provided valuable support. The hosts reached 100 in just 17.1 overs and 150 in 24.4 overs, leaving Australia’s bowlers searching for answers. Ashleigh Gardner and Megan Schutt managed occasional breakthroughs but were unable to stem the flow of runs.
At the second drinks interval India sat at 180/3 after 30 overs, Mandhana unbeaten on 108 and Deepti adding 10. With the bat ticking at six runs per over and wickets in hand India look poised to set a formidable target and put Australia under immense pressure in this series-defining match. Under lights and with momentum firmly on their side, the women in blue are building towards a massive total.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.coma Read company.
