In the semi-final of the Women’s World Cup 2025, India faced off against Australia, needing to chase down a target of 339 runs. The Indian innings began promisingly, with Smriti Mandhana leading the charge. However, a shocking decision concerning the Decision Review System (DRS) left her and the fans reeling.
Shocking DRS Ruling Affects India’s Performance
In the 10th over of the match, Australia’s Kim Garth delivered a ball that was initially ruled as a wide by the umpire. However, Australia’s captain, Alyssa Healy, challenged the decision using DRS. The technology revealed a minor spike on UltraEdge, indicating that Mandhana’s bat had made contact with the ball. This ruling left Mandhana visibly shocked and questioning the decision as she walked off the field.
Impact of the Dismissal
Smriti Mandhana’s departure came with the score at a healthy position, but it altered the momentum of the game. The delivery that took her wicket was clocked at 159.6 km/h, marking it as an exceptionally fast and tricky ball to handle.
Australia Sets a High Target
Before the dramatic DRS incident, Australia had set a formidable target for India. Phoebe Litchfield played a stellar innings, scoring 119 runs off just 77 balls. Her performance also included 17 fours and three sixes, showcasing her adeptness at various strokes, including the reverse sweep.
- Ellyse Perry contributed significantly with 77 runs off 88 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes.
- Ashleigh Gardner added a quick 63 runs from 45 balls, facilitating a late surge in Australia’s total.
- Australia concluded their innings at 338 runs, being bowled out with one ball remaining.
India’s Bowling Struggles
Despite a promising start, India’s bowlers struggled with both control and fielding. Shree Charani was one of the few bright spots, taking two wickets for just nine runs in her three overs. However, India’s fielders made several errors, including a dropped catch by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, which ultimately fueled Australia’s innings.
The semi-final was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams. As India faces the fallout from the controversial DRS ruling and attempts to chase down the sizeable target, the match represented a pivotal moment in the tournament.
