INDIA REGISTER HUMILIATING RECORD AS AUSTRALIA POST MAMMOTH 371 IN 2ND ODI

The India Women's cricket team suffered a humiliating defeat in the second ODI against Australia, conceding a mammoth total of 371 runs for 8 wickets. This total marked the highest-ever score given away by India in ODI cricket, underscoring the growing gap between the two teams. The defeat follows a crushing loss in the first ODI, leaving India with a mountain to climb in the final match of the series. Australia’s dominating performance with the bat, led by stellar knocks from their top-order, proved too much for India’s bowlers, who failed to mount any significant resistance.

Australia's Batting Masterclass

The Australian team, coming off a dominant win in the first ODI, carried their momentum into the second match. Winning the toss, Australia chose to bat first, and the decision quickly proved to be a masterstroke. From the very first over, the Australian batters set the tone with aggressive shot-making, and by the end of the 50 overs, they had posted a formidable total that India could only dream of chasing.

Georgia Voll was at the forefront of Australia’s onslaught. The opener was in scintillating form, punishing the Indian bowlers with a range of boundaries all over the ground. Voll’s ability to play the ball on both sides of the wicket left the Indian attack in disarray. Her 100 runs off 84 balls were the perfect platform for Australia’s middle-order to build upon. Voll's knock not only gave Australia a solid start but also put the pressure squarely on India right from the start of the innings.

Even after Voll’s departure, Australia continued their dominance with Ellyse Perry taking over the mantle. The experienced all-rounder played one of her most elegant innings, scoring 105 runs from just 75 balls. Perry’s innings was a display of her vast experience and cricketing intelligence, as she mixed classic cricket shots with aggressive stroke play, ensuring Australia stayed ahead of the required run rate. Her partnership with Voll had already put India on the back foot, and Perry’s blistering knock only added to the pressure.

Contributions from Mooney and Litchfield

After Perry’s departure, Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield continued to pile on the runs. Mooney, a batter known for her technical proficiency, contributed 56 runs, which was an invaluable knock in the context of Australia’s innings. Alongside her, Litchfield played an equally important role, scoring 60 runs. Their contributions ensured that Australia’s scoreline kept ticking and that India had no respite.

Litchfield, in particular, showed her aggressive intent, finding the boundary with ease. Together with Mooney, they helped Australia’s total rise steadily, and India found themselves chasing a record-breaking target. At one stage, it seemed that Australia might cross the 400-run mark, but the loss of a few quick wickets in the final overs slowed down their scoring. Despite this, Australia’s total of 371/8 was more than enough to give them a significant advantage heading into India’s batting innings.

The Historic Total Against India

Australia’s total of 371/8 is now officially the highest-ever total India Women have conceded in ODI cricket. This record-breaking performance surpasses India’s previous highest total conceded, which was 332/7, set by Australia in 2018. What makes this record even more remarkable is that it is the second time in 2024 that Australia has broken their own record against India, following their 338/7 in Mumbai earlier in the year.

This consistency in posting massive totals highlights the growing strength of Australia’s batting lineup and the vulnerability of India’s bowling attack. Australia’s ability to score freely against India, even in challenging conditions, speaks volumes about their strength in the 50-over format. In contrast, India’s inability to contain the Australian batters raises questions about their bowling strategies and the lack of consistent execution.

India’s Inability to Contain Australia

The Indian bowlers, despite their best efforts, were completely outclassed by the Australian batters. No bowler seemed to have an answer to the onslaught, and Australia’s ability to find the boundary at will meant that India’s task of restricting them became an insurmountable one. While Deepti Sharma and Poonam Yadav tried to stem the flow of runs, the lack of support from the other bowlers left India exposed.

One of the most glaring issues in India’s bowling attack was their inability to build pressure through dot balls and consistent line and length. The Australian batters were given too much room to free their arms, and they capitalized on every opportunity presented. India’s failure to take wickets at regular intervals allowed Australia to dictate terms, and they capitalized on every scoring opportunity.

India’s Fielding Woes

In addition to their bowling struggles, India’s fielding also came under scrutiny. While there were moments of brilliance, such as some sharp stops in the field and a few good catches, there were also several misfields and lapses in concentration that allowed Australia to get easy runs. These lapses further compounded the pressure on the Indian bowlers and allowed Australia to score even faster in the middle overs.

India’s inability to stop the boundaries and their fielding lapses only added to the growing frustration of the team. These issues have been recurring in recent times, and the Indian team will need to address them if they are to compete with the best in world cricket.

The Challenge of the Chase

With Australia posting a mammoth 371/8, India now faces an uphill task in the chase. The team will need a near-perfect performance from their top-order batters to stand any chance of reaching such a huge target. The pressure will be immense on Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Deepti Sharma, who will need to deliver big scores if India is to remain competitive in the match.

However, India has struggled with chasing big totals in the past, and this match will be no different. The Indian top order, which has been inconsistent in recent years, will need to stand up and perform under pressure. Mandhana, in particular, has been a key player for India and will need to provide a solid foundation for the chase.

India’s batting depth will also be tested, as the middle order has often struggled to cope with pressure situations. Players like Mithali Raj and Shafali Verma will need to step up and provide support to the top order. India will also need to keep wickets in hand to ensure they have a chance of getting close to the target in the final overs.

Australia’s Dominance in the ODI Format

Australia’s performance in the second ODI highlights their continued dominance in the 50-over format. The strength of their batting lineup, coupled with their disciplined bowling attack, makes them a formidable force in world cricket. Australia has consistently proven that they are one of the best teams in the world, and their recent performances against India further solidify their position at the top of the women’s game.

For India, however, the second ODI has been another wake-up call. The team will need to go back to the drawing board, address their weaknesses, and come up with a strategy to compete with the best. Their bowling attack, in particular, will need to be more disciplined, and the team’s fielding standards will need to improve.

Looking Ahead

India now has a tough task ahead in the final ODI of the series. To stand any chance of leveling the series, India will need to improve in every department—batting, bowling, and fielding. They will need to play with more intent, execute their plans more effectively, and ensure they don’t repeat the mistakes made in the first two matches.

For Australia, the focus will be on completing a dominant series win and carrying this momentum into future contests. Their performance in this match has sent a strong message to other teams, showing that they are in exceptional form and ready for any challenge that comes their way.

Conclusion

Australia’s mammoth 371/8 in the second ODI against India has put the hosts firmly in control of the series. With brilliant performances from Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, and others, Australia posted a record-breaking total, leaving India with little hope of winning the match. The Indian team now faces a tough challenge to make a comeback, and they will need to reflect on their performance, identify areas of improvement, and come up with a strategy to level the series. —register today