[Watch] Deepti Sharma’s reflex catches stun Australia in series finale

New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium was filled with excitement for the third ODI between the India Women and Australia Women with the series tied at one all. India was coming off a memorable victory, a historic one since it was their first win over Australia on home soil in 16 victories, a 102-run win in the second ODI, so it was set up nicely for an exciting finale.  
  
Australia were wearing pink jerseys to match the cause of #pinkday for breast cancer awareness, and set the tone early. After winning the toss, they opted to bat on a flat, batsman-friendly wicket. To strengthen the middle order, Alyssa Healy made two changes by adding Grace Harris and Kim Garth. India had confidence in their unchanged XI and their spin approach with Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Radha Yadav.

Australia got off to a flying start. Healy and Georgia Voll put together a 70-run opening partnership in just 11.2 overs before Voll fell for a brisk 56 off 41 balls, superbly caught by Sneh Rana for her 50th ODI wicket. Healy contributed with 30 runs before India’s Arundhati Reddy claimed her wicket, but then it was the turn of Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry, who combined for a partnership of 150 runs in 17.4 overs. Mooney added a lovely 112 off 93 balls (their 19th ODI hundred) combined with Perry's 78 off 72, and by the 30th over, Australia had reached 215/2 and were comfortably ahead.

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Deepti Sharma’s Caught-and-Bowled Brilliance Turns the Tide in India Women vs Australia Women ODI

But it turned the tide completely thanks to Deepti Sharma, in the 34.3 over. Promotion to a No. 5, Grace Harris, lofted a delivery, with Deepti executed an astonishing chest-high caught-and-bowled in less than half a second—the “Sharma snatch.” The crowd exploded, and as a stunned Healy at the non-striker's end could only applaud the brilliance. Deepti struck again on the very next ball, dismissing Mooney (112) with another quick reflex caught-and-bowled, and suddenly, Australia was 285/5 and firmly back in the game.

Australia scored a total of 412 all out, which is tied for their highest ever ODI score, in 47.5 overs with Deepti Sharma taking 3/64. Arundhati Reddy and Radha Yadav contributed to restricting the tail with Reddy claiming 3/86 and Yadav 2/60.

The weight now falls on the top order of the Indian batting order to chase down a record score to accomplish a famous victory to Australia. It could be the outstanding fielding and bowling of Deepti Sharma that will prove the difference in this high-scoring thriller.