In the first ODI between Australia Women and India Women in Mohali, the hosts faced a crushing eight-wicket defeat. At the toss, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur emerged victorious against her counterpart Alyssa Healy and elected to bat first. India openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana stitched a 114-run stand for the opening wicket in just 129 balls. Both produced half-centuries from their bats. Mandhana fell against leg-spinner Alana King and went back to the dugout after scoring 58 runs off 63 balls. Rawal also departed after hammering 64 off 96. Harleen Deol also looked confident and notched up her third WODI fifty.
Deol lost her wicket against Megan Schutt after scoring 54 runs off just 57 balls. In the last 10 overs, wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh (25 off 20) and Deepti Sharma (20* off 16) displayed courageous efforts. Radha Yadav also scored 19 runs off just 14 deliveries and helped India reach a fine total of 281/7 in their 50 overs. Schutt emerged as the most successful bowler for Australia. She picked 2/45 figures in her seven-over spell and became the highest wicket-taker in the innings.
Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney dominated India Women's bowling-unit
Chasing the total, Australia lost their captain Healy in the first powerplay but opener Phoebe Litchfield stood at the crease and dismantled the hosts’ bowling attack. In the 20th over, Ellyse Perry returned to the dugout as she got retired hurt. Litchfield concluded her knock after racking up 88 runs off just 80 balls. Sneh Rana bagged the 22-year-old’s wicket.
After Litchfield, Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland showcased her batting brilliance. Both built an unbeaten 116-run partnership for the third wicket and took their team home comfortably in 44.1 overs. Mooney scored an unbeaten 77 off 74 while Sutherland also returned not out with her unbeaten 54 which came in 51 balls. Litchfield was player of the match for her match-winning knock 88(80) runs.
