Australia fined for slow over-rate after record defeat to India Women in 2nd ODI News24 –

IND W vs AUS W: The woes of Australia Women continued on Tuesday, September 16, as they were fined 10 per cent of their match fee for being slow over-rate during their second ODI encounter against India Women at New Chandigarh, a game which will be remembered for years to come for India Women’s record-breaking 102-run win.

In line with an official declaration by the ICC, Australia were two overs short of their quota, even considering time allowances. The offense was initiated by on-field umpires Vrinda Rathi and Janani Narayanan, as well as third umpire Lauren Agenbag and fourth umpire Gayathri Venugopalan. The fine was administered by match referee G.S. Lakshmi of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, pursuant to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with minimum over-rate offences.

The regulation stipulates that teams are penalized 5 per cent of their match fee for every over they are short. Here, Australia were short two overs, which translates to 10 per cent. Australian captain Alyssa Healy embraced the penalty, admitting to the offense, so a formal hearing was not needed.

Although the over-rate penalty was a disciplinary loss, it was nothing compared to what happened on the ground. The game became a historic win for India Women, as not only did they tie the series 1-1 but also gave Australia their largest run-defeat in Women’s ODI history.

The earlier record, a 92-run loss to England in the first 1973 Women’s World Cup – lasted more than five decades, but was shattered by a rejuvenated Indian team which seemed intent on reviving spirits after the first ODI loss.

Mandhana’s Magic & Gaud’s Grit Seal It for India

India’s charge was spearheaded by the indefatigable Smriti Mandhana, who played one of the best ODI innings of her life. She hit 117 runs from only 91 balls, pumping the boundary ropes with 14 fours and four sixes. It was a stroke class and intent that set the tone for India’s massive total.

Mandhana’s precision at the crease unsettled the Australian bowlers, and she was justifiably awarded Player of the Match for her authoritative display.

Supporting her with the ball was Kranti Gaud, one of India’s brightest young stars currently in the sport. Having made her ODI debut this year, Gaud picked up from where she left off in the first Test with 3 for 28. Her control, variation, and wicket-taking ability under pressure were central to dismantling the Australian middle order’s backbone.

With the series standing 1-1, the final, third ODI at Delhi on September 20 is set to be an electrifying decider. Australia had dominated the first match by eight wickets, but India’s counterattack has set the contest alight.

As both sides prepare to travel to Delhi, Australia will seek to bounce back from the crushing loss both strategically and psychologically, while India will seek to take this momentum into the final showdown.
Even if India loses, the second ODI will go down in history as a match in which India Women rose to the occasion, re-wrote history, and proved to the world just how much they have evolved in the ODI format.