India’s women began their Australia tour with a setback, slipping to a six-wicket loss in the opening ODI in Brisbane on Tuesday. The fixture marked their first appearance in the 50-over format since lifting the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup trophy on home soil.
Australia set the tone by limiting India to 214, a total that ultimately proved insufficient. The hosts reached the 215-run target with 11.4 overs to spare and six wickets still intact.
India struggle after early setback
Fresh from ending a decade-long wait to win a T20I series in Australia, India entered the ODI leg with momentum. However, early wickets stalled their progress and the innings never fully regained rhythm.
Half-centuries from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana anchored the effort, while Kashvee Gautam provided late impetus to push the score to 214. Harmanpreet, though, suffered a left knee injury during her knock and did not return to the field for Australia’s chase.
Australia respond with authority
Pursuing 215, Australia launched aggressively, with Phoebe Litchfield taking the initiative at the top. India briefly clawed their way back when Shree Charani struck twice in successive deliveries, reducing the hosts and injecting life into the contest.
The disruption proved temporary. Beth Mooney steadied the innings, first combining effectively with Alyssa Healy, who made 50, and later building momentum alongside Annabel Sutherland, whose brisk 48 kept the chase on track. Mooney’s decisive 76 laid the foundation for victory, and although she fell in the 37th over, the groundwork had been completed as Australia closed out the match comfortably.
