Kolkata: Pursuing a target of 299 runs against Australia on their home turf is a formidable challenge. However, as long as Smriti Mandhana maintained her rhythm, India had a reasonable opportunity to succeed. Her fourth ODI century of 2024, the highest by any player in a calendar year in women’s ODIs, was the sole highlight in an otherwise disappointing batting performance, as India was dismissed for 215 runs in the third ODI in Perth, allowing Australia to achieve what may be one of their easiest clean sweeps.

The loss of three key wickets—Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, and Jemimah Rodrigues—at the same score underscores the issues plaguing India's middle order. Mandhana's innings of 105 runs off 109 balls was pivotal, as she formed significant partnerships of 118 runs with Harleen Deol and 31 runs with Harmanpreet Kaur. With the score at 165/2 in the 33rd over, a consolation victory appeared attainable, but Kaur's dismissal to a catch at mid-on changed the momentum. Subsequently, India lost their last seven wickets for a mere 26 runs within the span of five deliveries.

Ultimately, Australia proved to be too formidable for India on their home ground. This was not evident initially, as Arundhati Reddy effectively swung the ball and dismissed the top four Australian batters. However, Annabel Sutherland's impressive innings of 110 runs at No. 5 propelled Australia from a precarious 78/4 to a total of 296/6 before her dismissal on the penultimate ball of the innings. Ashleigh Gardner complemented her half-century with outstanding ODI bowling figures of 5/30, ensuring that India could not complete their innings successfully.

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