The opening ODI of the Australia Women’s tour of India 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on 14th September 2025 lived up to its billing as a high-intensity clash between two World Cup contenders. On a fresh pitch that offered something for both batters and bowlers, India set a competitive total, but Australia’s batting depth and clinical chase ensured an emphatic eight-wicket win with 35 balls to spare.
Choosing to bat first, India relied on their top order for stability. Pratika Rawal’s 64 off 96 anchored the innings, but her lack of acceleration piled pressure on the middle order before she eventually fell to Kim Garth. At the other end, Smriti Mandhana looked in sublime touch, crafting 58 off 63 balls with six fours and two sixes before a sharp piece of fielding from Phoebe Litchfield saw her run out. Harleen Deol added momentum in the middle overs with a fluent 54 from 57 deliveries, blending singles with four crisply timed boundaries.
However, India stumbled after losing Harmanpreet Kaur cheaply for 11, lbw off Annabel Sutherland, and later Jemimah Rodrigues for 18, as the innings threatened to stall at 232/5. The lower middle order, though, chipped in with crucial cameos — Richa Ghosh’s 25 (20 balls), Deepti Sharma’s 20* off 16, and Radha Yadav’s lively 19 off 14 — propelling India to 281/7 in 50 overs. Extras contributed 10 to the total.
Among the bowlers, Megan Schutt was Australia’s most successful with 2/45 from seven overs, while Kim Garth (1/56 from 10 overs), Annabel Sutherland (1/31 from 6 overs), Alana King (1/28 from 6 overs), and Tahlia McGrath (1/33 from 4 overs) provided timely breakthroughs.
Chasing 282, Australia lost skipper Alyssa Healy early for 27 off 23 (five fours), bowled by Kranti Goud with the score at 45/1. That brought Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry together, and the pair steadied the innings with a fluent stand. Perry looked composed with 30 off 38 before retiring hurt, but her presence had already helped Australia (at 124/1).
From there, Litchfield took charge. The left-hander showcased her full range with crisp drives and clever placements, compiling a brilliant 88 off 80 balls with 14 boundaries. After her dismissal to Sneh Rana at 166, Beth Mooney assumed control. Calm and clinical, Mooney anchored the chase with an unbeaten 77 from 74 deliveries, striking nine fours and rotating the strike expertly.
The finishing touch came from Annabel Sutherland, whose aggressive 54* off 51 (six fours) ensured there were no hiccups in the latter stages. Together, Mooney and Sutherland stitched an unbroken 116-run stand, guiding Australia to 282/2 in 44.1 overs, sealing victory with a healthy run rate of 6.38.
India’s effort in the field was marred by dropped catches and moments of sloppy ground fielding, which released pressure on the Australian batters and made the chase considerably easier.
India’s bowling lacked penetration despite disciplined spells from Sneh Rana (1/51 in 10 overs) and Kranti Goud (1/55 in 8 overs). Deepti Sharma bowled her full quota for 59 runs, while Radha Yadav (0/61 in 8 overs) and Shree Charani (0/55 in 8.1 overs) were taken for runs. Without regular wickets, India struggled to contain the Australian batters once partnerships developed.
The result handed Australia a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series, giving them momentum ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. While India showed promise with the bat, especially through Rawal, Mandhana, and Deol, their inability to defend a solid total highlighted concerns in the bowling department. Australia, on the other hand, will take heart from their dominant chase and the form of Litchfield, Mooney, and Sutherland, even as they monitor Ellyse Perry’s injury.
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