Australia cruised to an eight-wicket victory over India in the first ODI of the three-match series at New Chandigarh. India posted a total of 281/7 in 50 overs, powered by half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, and Harleen Deol. In reply, Australia Women chased down the target with blazing fifties from Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, and Annabel Sutherland. India struggled to defend their total as Litchfield’s dominance against spin bowling proved decisive, helping Australia secure a comfortable win.

India’s Batting Efforts

India’s openers, Mandhana and Rawal, started confidently, putting on 103 runs together—the highest opening partnership against Australia for India and equaling the country’s fifth-century stand. Mandhana scored 58 off 63 balls before a mix-up with Rawal led to her run out. Rawal slowed the pace after that, struggling against Australia’s spinners, and eventually fell to Perry’s catch.

Deol provided a late flourish, hitting two sixes and four boundaries, scoring a run-a-ball fifty. Harmanpreet Kaur showed intent with a six but was trapped lbw by Sutherland. Despite some aggressive contributions from Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav.

Australia’s Batting Brilliance

India opened with four spinners and one seamer, sending Kranti Goud and Sneh Rana to start the attack. Rana offered an early chance in the second over when Litchfield flicked a floaty delivery toward short midwicket, but Jemimah Rodrigues dropped it. Captain Alyssa Healy and Litchfield then settled quickly, hitting multiple boundaries in the third and fourth overs.

Healy, continuing her strong form from the India A series, punished Goud’s width and half-volleys in the seventh over. However, Goud struck back immediately, bowling Healy out. Litchfield, meanwhile, punished India for the dropped chance, using sweeps, reverse sweeps, and switch hits to bring up five boundaries.

Ellyse Perry joined the attack, scoring a boundary off Sree Charani and a six from Radha Yadav. With the pitch offering little help to spinners, Litchfield and Perry maintained a brisk scoring rate. Litchfield reached her fifty off just 44 balls with a sweep off Deepti Sharma. India then dropped two more catches—Rawal missed Perry at deep midwicket, and Harmanpreet Kaur spilled Litchfield at covers—but the Australian duo kept scoring.

Perry retired hurt on 30 after the 20th over due to a left calf issue. Mooney joined Litchfield and continued the scoring momentum. Litchfield eventually fell to a reverse sweep, caught by Arundhati Reddy at short third, but Australia was already in a commanding position.

Sutherland and Mooney Seal the Chase

Sutherland started cautiously but broke through with a backward-point drive. Mooney capitalized on full tosses from Sree Charani, hitting one over midwicket to bring up her 19th ODI fifty. India dropped another catch at extra cover, allowing Sutherland to score her fifty off 47 balls. Two overs later, she struck the winning runs, completing a smooth chase.

Brief Scorecard