A dark day for Indian women’s cricket unfolded in Hobart as spinner N Shree Charani bowled 10 overs for 106 runs and two wickets, claiming the unwanted title of India’s costliest ODI spell ever. Played at Ninja Stadium against Australia on March 1, this performance slots third globally in women’s ODIs.
Experienced Deepti Sharma suffered similarly, going for 90 in 10 overs to become India’s second-most expensive. Priya Mishra had held the record with 88 runs leaked against Australia in late 2024.
World records paint an even grimmer picture: Ireland’s Cara Murray tops with 119 runs versus New Zealand in 2018, and Pakistan’s Shazia Khan follows with 111 against Australia in 1997.
Australia, batting first after a toss win, unleashed mayhem. Farewell heroine Alyssa Healy carved out 158 from 98 balls, Beth Mooney stood not out on 106 off 84, Georgia Wareham blazed 62 off 52, and Nicola Carey hammered 34 in just 15 balls. Their 409/7 left India reeling.
Healy’s final ODI appearance amplified the drama, but for Charani and Sharma, it’s a lesson in the brutal economics of international cricket against top-tier batting lineups.