Australia Women crushed India Women by six wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series in Brisbane. After being asked to bat first, India Women were bowled out for 214 in 48.3 overs. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur scored well-made half-centuries, while Kashvee Gautam played a blazing knock of 43 runs off 44 balls. Ashleigh Gardner (3/33 in 7 overs) was the most successful bowler for Australia, and Megan Schutt took two wickets.
In reply, Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield gave Australia a solid start. Although they lost a few wickets in the middle, Healy scored a composed half-century. Beth Mooney played a superb knock of 76 runs off 79 balls, and Annabel Sutherland added a quick 48 off 44 balls. Australia Women completed the chase comfortably with 70 balls to spare. Nallapureddy Charani (2/41 in 9 overs) was the most successful bowler for India. With this win, Australia Women lead the series 1–0.
Healy leads from the front
Healy launched her farewell tour in style. She scored 50 off 70 balls and guided Australia’s chase in challenging, seam-friendly conditions. Her calm presence with the bat and sharp work in the field proved crucial.
The win helped Australia level the multi-format series. They had trailed 4-2 on points after losing the T20I leg 2-1. The team also faced setbacks before the match, as Ellyse Perry and fast bowler Kim Garth were ruled out of the three-match ODI series with quad injuries.
Bowlers restrict India to 214
Australia’s bowlers set up the victory. Megan Schutt, a late addition to the squad, struck early and finished with 2 for 42 in nine overs. Ashleigh Gardner led the attack with 3 for 33 in seven overs.
Legspinner Alana King and Tahlia McGrath, both returning after missing the T20I series, picked up a wicket each. Six Australian bowlers shared the wickets as India were bowled out for 214 in the 49th over.
Australia chase with control
Chasing 215, Australia faced a tricky target on a lively pitch. Healy gave them a strong start. She struck a crisp straight drive off Renuka Singh to open her scoring. Although she looked slightly rusty after limited recent cricket, she stayed calm.
Renuka thought she had Healy lbw on 12, but the review did not go India’s way. That moment proved costly.
Healy shared a half-century opening stand with Phoebe Litchfield, who made a brisk 32 before Richa Ghosh stumped her off left-arm spinner Shree Charani. Charani nearly grabbed a hat-trick when Georgia Voll chipped to cover, but she missed out on the third wicket.
Healy and Beth Mooney then steadied the innings with a 64-run partnership. Mooney, who has taken over as Australia’s full-time wicketkeeper, later smashed 76 off 79 balls.
Healy reached her fifty in 69 balls but fell on the next delivery, caught by Jemimah Rodrigues at backward point.
India’s hopes faded further when Annabel Sutherland was dropped on 16 by Kashvee Gautam. Mooney brought up her half-century with a six, crossing 3000 ODI runs in her career. She added 85 runs with Sutherland, who sealed the win with a six in the 39th over.
Australia extended their unbeaten record at Allan Border Field to 21 straight wins.
India struggle despite middle-order fight
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat after winning the toss under cloudy skies. The decision backfired quickly. Schutt trapped Pratika Rawal lbw on the second ball.
India slipped to 52 for 3 as Shafali Verma and Rodrigues fell cheaply. Smriti Mandhana scored 58 to steady the innings. Harmanpreet then scored 53 off 84 balls and shared a 53-run stand with Gautam, who hit three sixes in her career-best 43 off 44 balls.
However, the total proved insufficient. In another concern for India, Harmanpreet injured her left knee while batting and did not field during Australia’s innings.
The defeat marked a disappointing return to the format for India after their World Cup triumph. They now face a tough challenge in their bid to win a first-ever ODI series against Australia.