In one of the most gut-wrenching finishes of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, India posted a mammoth 330/8 against Australia—only to watch the defending champions pull off the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history. But in the post-match presser, captain Harmanpreet Kaur didn’t point fingers at the bowlers. Instead, she laid bare a brutal truth: the batting collapse cost India the match.
Table of Contents
- Strong Start, Then Sudden Collapse
- The 36-Run Disaster
- Australia’s Historic Chase
- Harmanpreet’s Honest Take
- What Could Have Been
Strong Start, Then Sudden Collapse
India’s innings began with fireworks. Openers Smriti Mandhana (89) and Shafali Verma (62 off 48 balls) blazed to a 137-run partnership, setting the tone on a flat Eden Gardens track. Middle-order contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues (44) and Richa Ghosh (38) kept the momentum alive, and at 294/2 in the 44th over, a 360+ total seemed inevitable.
Then, everything unraveled.
The 36-Run Disaster
What followed was a catastrophic lower-order implosion. India lost six wickets for just 36 runs in the final six overs—a collapse so sudden it left fans stunned and the dressing room silent. Harmanpreet, who walked in at No. 6, was one of the victims, falling for 22. The tail offered little resistance, and India limped to 330/8.
“We lost 30–40 runs there,” Harmanpreet admitted. “Against a team like Australia, every run counts. We didn’t finish well, and that’s on us—not the bowlers.”
Australia’s Historic Chase
Chasing 331 might have seemed daunting, but Australia’s batters treated it like a training drill. Alyssa Healy smashed a 98-ball 124, while Ellyse Perry anchored with a flawless 92*. The pair added 187 for the third wicket, dismantling India’s spinners and pacers alike. Australia reached 331/4 in 48.3 overs—setting a new benchmark for the highest successful chase in women’s ODIs.
Harmanpreet’s Honest Take
While many expected blame to fall on the bowling unit—especially after conceding 18 sixes—Harmanpreet took full ownership. “Our bowlers fought hard,” she said. “But we didn’t give them enough. If we’d scored 360, even 350, the pressure would’ve been different.”
Her comments reflect a growing maturity in India’s leadership—focusing on controllable factors rather than external excuses.
What Could Have Been
| Milestone | Actual | Potential (with 30–40 more runs) |
|---|---|---|
| India’s Total | 330/8 | 360–370 |
| Required Run Rate for AUS | 6.80 | 7.4–7.6 |
| Pressure on AUS Middle Order | Moderate | High |
| Win Probability (est.) | 45% | 65%+ |
Cricket analysts agree: those missing 30–40 runs were the difference between a historic win and a heartbreaking loss. As former India batter Anjum Chopra noted, “In modern ODIs, 330 isn’t safe—it’s just competitive.”
For now, India must regroup. But Harmanpreet’s accountability sets the tone for a team learning from pain—and aiming higher.
Sources
- Times of India – IND vs AUS: India Lose Despite 330
- ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Match Report
- ESPNcricinfo – Women’s ODI Records