ICC World Cup 2025
Alyssa HealyHarmanpreet KaurIndia vs AustraliaWomens World Cup 2025

Healy’s Record 142 Stuns India; Kaur’s Captaincy Under Fire After WC 2025 Collapse

Shivansh Rana | 4 min read | 3 weeks ago | Oct 17, 2025 04:10 pm IST
Healy's Record 142 Stuns India; Kaur's Captaincy Under Fire After WC 2025 Collapse

Record Chase Stuns India: Alyssa Healy’s Masterclass Puts Harmanpreet Kaur’s Future in Doubt After World Cup Heartbreak

It was a match that had everything. A massive total, a record-breaking chase, and a captain’s knock for the ages. But for India, their ICC Women’s World Cup match against Australia on October 12, 2025, ended in a devastating three-wicket defeat, and now all eyes are on captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s struggling form and leadership.

Key Takeaways

  • Australia achieved the highest run chase in women’s ODI history, overhauling India’s 330 runs.
  • Alyssa Healy was unstoppable, smashing 142 off 107 balls to win Player of the Match.
  • India suffered a dramatic collapse, losing six wickets for just 36 runs in the death overs.
  • Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy is under scrutiny, with fans calling for Smriti Mandhana to take over.

What Went So Wrong for India?

Look, putting 330 on the board is a massive effort. You’d back your team to defend that almost every time. But the cracks started showing long before the final ball. Harmanpreet Kaur herself didn’t blame the bowling. Instead, she pointed directly at her team’s batting collapse in the death overs. Losing six wickets for 36 runs? That’s just not going to cut it in a World Cup.

And honestly, her own form isn’t helping. She only managed 22 runs from 17 balls in this crucial game. Across the tournament, it’s been a tough ride for the skipper, with just 71 runs in five matches and not a single half-century to her name. The pressure is seriously mounting.

Healy’s Unbelievable Innings

While India stumbled, Alyssa Healy soared. Her performance wasn’t just good; it was historic. A colossal 142 runs from only 107 balls to anchor the highest run chase ever seen in the women’s game. It was a captain’s knock that completely demoralized the opposition.

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Even former India captain Mithali Raj couldn’t help but admire it, praising Healy’s incredible ability to deliver in high-stakes matches. She does it time and time again. And just to prove her point, four days later, Healy smashed an unbeaten 113 against Bangladesh, securing Australia’s spot in the semi-finals and crossing 7,000 international runs. Some players are just built different.

Expert Analysis

Former England captain Nasser Hussain weighed in, suggesting India might be too reliant on its openers, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal. In an article for the Hindustan Times, he noted that while Harmanpreet has a ‘fantastic World Cup record’, she needs to start delivering in these big games, just like Healy does. When the openers fail, who steps up? That’s the question India needs to answer.

Social Media Storm

As you can imagine, the fans are not happy. After the loss, social media was flooded with calls for a change in leadership. The name on everyone’s lips? Smriti Mandhana. Many believe it’s time for a fresh perspective at the helm to guide the team through these high-pressure situations. The debate is raging, and every match from here on out will be a test for Kaur.

What’s Next for Team India?

With Australia already booking their semi-final spot, the path forward for India is getting tougher. The team has the talent, no doubt. But can they handle the pressure? More importantly, can Harmanpreet Kaur find her form and unite the team when it matters most?

The next few games are absolutely critical. It’s more than just about winning; it’s about proving they have the mental strength to be world champions. What do you think? Can Harmanpreet turn it around, or is it time for a change?