India completed its highest-ever run chase to beat Australia in the third and final ODI on Sunday and end the world champions’ 26-match winning streak. Chasing 265, Jhulan Goswami struck the winnings runs, a boundary off Sophie Molineux to help India win with two wickets and three balls to spare. 

Expressing her delight after the win, skipper Mithali Raj said she told the team they had to end Australia’s streak as it was against them in March 2018 that the run started with.   

“We are happy that we have won the last game. Just told the girls that the winning streak of Australia started in 2018, against India in India and we needed to be the one who broke that streak, we need to put up a A-grade performance,” she said in her post match comments. 

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Fifties from Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia along with cameos from Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana guided India to the win at the Harrup Park in Queensland’s Mackay. Veteran seamer Jhulan Goswami was adjudjed player of the match for her figures of 3/37 from 10 overs. The 38-year-old also struck the winning runs for India. 

Lauding the performance, fans and experts have expressed their delight on social media.

Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogale tweeted, “What a game! Well done India. Was so near and yet so far last time and they bridged the gap today. So many contributions but good to see Jhulan there at the end.”

Former India batsman Wasim Jaffer said, “Australian women’s team last lost an ODI in 2017, today we defeated them!
What a win, what a team!
Congratulations @BCCIWomen #AUSvIND.”

“Came agonisingly close in the 2nd ODI but have crossed the finish line NOW.

#TeamIndia win the 3rd ODI by 2 wickets after a thrilling chase and with it end Australia’s marathon 26-match unbeaten streak. ,” the read a post on the BCCI Women’s Twitter handle. 

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The ODI series will be followed by a one-off day-night Test at the Carrara Oval, Queensland starting September 30, before a three-match T20I series starts October 7.