After a bruising 3-0 defeat in the T20 series, India A Women showed steel and spirit in Brisbane, scripting a clinical three-wicket win over Australia A Women in the first One Day with 48 balls to spare. Chasing 215, the visitors found heroes in Yastika Bhatia and a disciplined middle order, turning the tables on a side that had dominated them just days earlier.
The T20 leg had been a sobering experience for India A—close in the opener, blown away in the second, and edged out in the final match—but the 1st One Day performance suggested lessons had been learned. Asked to bowl first, Shabnam Shakil’s early breakthrough and consistent support from Radha Yadav and Prema Rawat restricted the hosts to 214 in 47.5 overs.
Australia A’s innings was anchored by Anika Learoyd’s unbeaten 92 off 90 balls—a lone act of defiance amid a flurry of wickets. Rachel Trenaman (51 off 62) was the only other batter who came to rescue the Australian innings. But the rest of the batting failed to capitalise, as India’s bowlers maintained their grip. Skipper Radha Yadav’s 3 for 45 was the standout, with Titas Sadhu (2/37 from 7.5 overs) and Minnu Mani (2/38 from 10 overs) chipping in with two apiece.
In reply, India A’s chase began with assurance. Yastika Bhatia led from the front with a fluent 59 off 70 balls, finding boundaries with crisp drives and deft glances. She combined with Shafali Verma (36 off 31) to add 77 for the first wicket at a healthy rate, neutralising the early threat posed by Kim Garth.
Shafali departed with 77 on board. Then Dhara Gujjar (31), and Bhatia added a 63 run partnership but both departed within 17 runs—the lower middle order refused to panic. Raghvi Bist’s measured 25* and Radha Yadav’s 19 ensured the chase stayed on track, despite late strikes from Ella Hayward and Lucy Hamilton. Extras played a telling role too, with Australia A conceding 32 runs through wides and byes, easing the pressure on the Indian batters.
The winning moment came in the 42nd over, with Bist scoring a boundary to seal a morale-boosting victory. The result not only snapped India A’s losing streak but also injected life into the three-match one-day series, reminding the hosts that the visitors were far from spent.
For Australia A, Ella Hayward’s 2/46 and Lucy Hamilton’s 2/36 will be remembered for their composure and control, but the lack of support from the batters will raise questions ahead of the next game. India A, meanwhile, will take heart from their all-round display—precise with the ball, sharp in the field, and composed in the chase.
After the hurt of the T20 whitewash, this was more than just a win. It was a statement of resilience. Australia will look to bounce back in the second one day on August 15th from 05:00 AM (IST) at the same venue in Brisbane.
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