Australia Completes ODI Whitewash of India Despite Mandhana's Century

Despite a valiant century from Smriti Mandhana, India's women's cricket team succumbed to a comprehensive defeat in the third and final One Day International against Australia. The 83-run loss at the WACA in Perth sealed a 3-0 series whitewash for the dominant Australian side, leaving India with plenty to ponder as they head home. While Mandhana's ninth ODI century provided a glimmer of hope, Australia's all-round brilliance, particularly from Annabel Sutherland and Ash Gardner, proved too much for the Indian team to overcome.

Australia's all-round dominance:

Australia's victory was built on a foundation of strong individual performances. Annabel Sutherland shone with both bat and ball, smashing a brilliant century (110 off 95 balls) and claiming the crucial wicket of Harmanpreet Kaur. Ash Gardner, another key contributor, showcased her all-round prowess with a quickfire half-century (50) and a remarkable five-wicket haul (5/30).

Sutherland and Gardner's rescue act:

After a shaky start that saw Australia reduced to 78/4, Sutherland and Gardner orchestrated a stunning recovery. Their 94-run partnership for the fifth wicket stabilized the innings and laid the platform for a formidable total. Sutherland continued her onslaught, reaching her century in style and guiding Australia to a commanding position.

Mandhana's lone battle:

In response, India's chase was spearheaded by Smriti Mandhana, who played a magnificent innings, reaching her century off 103 balls. However, her efforts were largely in vain as she received little support from the other end. Harleen Deol (39) provided some resistance, but once Mandhana fell, India's innings crumbled, with Gardner wreaking havoc in the lower order.

India's areas of concern:

India's series whitewash exposed several areas of concern:

• Bowling frailties: Barring Arundhati Reddy, the Indian bowlers struggled to contain Australia's powerful batting lineup.

• Middle-order collapse: The lack of support for Mandhana highlighted the fragility of India's middle order.

• Missed opportunities: India failed to capitalize on early breakthroughs and allowed Australia to recover and build a substantial total.

While the series ended in disappointment for India, Smriti Mandhana's century provided a silver lining and a reminder of her immense talent. However, the team's overall performance highlighted the gap that still exists between India and the dominant Australian side. This series serves as a valuable learning experience for India, exposing areas that need improvement as they continue their journey in international cricket. The focus now shifts to addressing these weaknesses and building a more consistent and competitive unit capable of challenging the best teams in the world.