Thrilling Finish Leaves India Agonizingly Short in ODI Series Loss to Australia, Richa Ghosh’s 96 goes in vain, Sutherland stands tall in last overs

Australia edged India by a nail-biting three runs in the final over of the second ODI at Wankhede Stadium, clinching the series 2-0. Despite Richa Ghosh’s career-best 96, India crumbled in the final overs, falling just short of the 259-run target.

Ghosh’s innings, featuring two dropped catches, propelled India towards victory, but her dismissal in the 44th over with 41 needed sparked a dramatic collapse. Australia were not at their best today with few dropped catches and batting failure yet they natched victory when odds appeared against their favour.

India seemed destined for victory, controlling the majority of the chase with wickets in hand and the scoreboard comfortably ticking towards the target. However, the Aussies unleashed a magnificent bowling spell in the final overs, snatching crucial wickets and putting the brakes on India’s momentum.

With just 22 runs needed off the last three deliveries, India still held the upper hand. But a game-changing over from Sutherland swung the pendulum back towards Australia. Enter Ashleigh Gardner, seasoned veteran and master of the craft.

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Her economical 49th over, yielding only 3 runs and dismissing the dangerous Harleen Deol, effectively sealed the deal for Australia, leaving India heartbroken at the doorstep of victory.

Annabel Sutherland (3-47) proved the nemesis in the final over when defending 16 runs. Deepti Sharma’s early boundary offered hope, but a string of singles and a dropped catch couldn’t bridge the gap. Ghosh’s heartbreak mirrored India’s near miss, her valiant effort just shy of a maiden international century.

Earlier, Australia built their innings around Ellyse Perry’s fluent half-century, despite early wobbles. Litchfield, capitalizing on dropped chances, contributed a second consecutive fifty. Deepti Sharma, however, emerged as the bowling hero, claiming a five-wicket haul, including crucial dismissals of Mooney, Gardner, McGrath, Wareham, and Sutherland in the late overs.

Alyssa Healy struggled again, while Beth Mooney fell cheaply despite getting start. However, Australian lower order kept scoring crucial runs which ultimately proved vital in defending a modest total. Alana King’s late cameo, including three sixes, propelled Australia past a potentially below-par score.

India’s fielding woes, including a Rana-Vastrakar collision that forced the former off the field with a headache, added to their struggles. Despite Rana’s return, concerns lingered as she was sent for scans at the break, replaced by concussion substitute Harleen Deol.

The final ODI in this captivating series takes place at the same venue on January 2nd, promising another edge-of-the-seat encounter.