She let slip a no-ball in the final over of the last game that robbed India women of a victory against their Australian rivals. On Sunday, Jhulan Goswami, veteran of many a battle on the cricket field, was on a mission and accomplished it in style by helping India women win the final ODI of the series.

India thus ended Australia women’s world record 26-match winning streak in ODIs. In the process, India pulled off their highest-ever run chase to defeat Meg Lanning’s team by two wickets in Mackay.

India held their nerve to win with three balls to spare after half-centuries from Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia helped them chase a target of 265.

The 38-year-old Goswami, who picked up three wickets with the ball, hit the winning runs with a boundary in the final over.

Chasing a challenging target, India got the start they needed, thanks to a 59-run stand for the opening wicket between Verma (56) and Smriti Mandhana (22) in just under 11 overs. Bhatia (64) joined Verma in the middle and the two forged a fine partnership and carried on the good work without any difficulty.

Shafali Verma on Sunday. Getty Images

After 25 overs, India were comfortably placed at 131 for one. But once the Verma and Bhatia were dismissed, Australia came back into the game removing Richa Ghosh and captain Mithali Raj quickly. However, Sneh Rana (30) and Deepti Sharma (31) quickly added 33 crucial runs down the order.

Pain & gain

Goswami, adjudged Player of the Match, said she was glad to have stood up for the side as a senior player.

“We were just trying to stay there and finish the game. On Friday, it was difficult for the bowlers and this time, as the senior bowler, I wanted to stand up and use the new ball well,” Goswami, who also reached the milestone of 600 career wickets on Sunday, said after the match.

“I knew I could get breakthroughs. That was what I did. It’s important to give your best in the field, take positives and that’s what I want to do as a senior,” Goswami, who returned figures of 3/37, said.

“Lots of soreness in my body having played back-to-back games, need time to recover, but we’re looking forward to be a part of the first-ever pink-ball Test. I have no experience of playing with pink ball and I would like to know what it does under lights before I quit the game.”

The one-off day-night Test starts in Carrara on Thursday.

Goswami said that she had no idea it was India’s highest chase.

India captain Mithali Raj said: “We are very happy. I was just telling the girls, Australia’s winning streak started against India in India in 2018, so now we are the ones who broke that streak,” she said.

Brief scores

Australia women 264/9 in 50 ovs (A. Gardner 67; J. Goswami 3/37). India women 266/8 in 49.3 ovs (Y. Bhatia 64, S. Verma 56). India won by 2 wkts.