Credit: ICC
In the ongoing third WODI between India and Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the visitors are in command as they have done well while defending the colossal total of 412. Pursuing the massive score, India saw the dominance of opener Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Both stitched a crucial 121-run partnership for the third wicket in just 69 balls and Mandhana also notched up India’s fastest WODI hundred. However, with the quick fall of both batters, India saw themselves under pressure as they lost four players at a total of 216 in 21.1 overs. In the crunch situation, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh got the responsibility to take the team ahead.
Deepti started her innings confidently as she produced some fine strokes from her bat. On the first ball of the 24th over, when Alana King bowled a delivery, Deepti played a shot straight towards the bowler, who strove to stop the ball but couldn’t as it passed the Aussie and collided with the stumps. Ghosh, who was at the non-striker’s end got dazed as she found herself outside the crease and King’s hand touched the ball during the entire event. Richa Ghosh walked back to the dugout after scoring six runs. The similiar moment happened to her men's compatriot Hardik Pandya against Oman in the Asia Cup 2025 last night.
Deepti Sharma's knock keeps India alive in the massive chase
Following Mandhana’s departure, India have struggled to stand against the Aussie bowling attack. Ghosh lost her wicket due to the unfortunate run out and after her dismissal, Radha Yadav came at the crease and endeavoured to take the innings ahead but she could chip in with only 18 off 21. Georgia Wareham got Radha caught at the hands of Georgia Voll.
Arundhati Reddy also lost her wicket against off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner. However, Deepti Sharma has displayed fighting spirit and scored her 15th WODI fifty off just 42 balls. As of writing, India are 329/7 in 39 overs with Deepti (62 off 51) and Sneh Rana (19* off 19) at the crease.
