Harmanpreet Kaur Reflects on India's ODI Defeat Against Australia

In a recent ODI match, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her team's struggles after a significant 185-run defeat to Australia. Acknowledging the mistakes made during the series, she emphasized the need for improvement as they prepare for an upcoming Test match in Perth. With Australia setting a daunting target of 410 runs, India's batting faltered, leading to a disappointing end to the series. Kaur highlighted the importance of learning from this experience and maintaining a positive mindset for future challenges. Read on to discover more about the match and Kaur's insights.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 1, 2026, 18:44 IST

Captain's Acknowledgment of Team's Performance

Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian women's cricket team, expressed her disappointment following a significant 185-run loss to Australia in the final ODI of their series at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. The 36-year-old leader admitted that her team has not been performing well in ODIs.

Mistakes Costing the Game

During the post-match presentation, Kaur stated, "Overall, we did not play good cricket. While we excelled in T20s, our performance in ODIs was lacking. This inconsistency has been detrimental. ODI cricket requires sustained excellence, and we made too many errors."

Australia Sets a High Target

India opted to field first, aiming for a win in the series finale. However, Australian captain Alyssa Healy, in her farewell ODI, scored her eighth century, providing a strong start. Beth Mooney also shone with an unbeaten 106 runs off 84 balls, propelling Australia to a formidable target of 410 runs.

Learning from the Experience

Kaur acknowledged the Australian team's performance, saying, "We must credit Australia for their excellent play, which left us with no opportunity to recover. This series has provided us with valuable lessons, and we will reflect on our approach to ODI cricket moving forward."

India Struggles in the Chase

In pursuit of the massive target, India lost star batter Smriti Mandhana early, failing to score. Pratika Rawal attempted to accelerate the innings but was dismissed by Annabel Sutherland after scoring 27 runs off 21 balls. Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 42 runs off 29 balls, hitting nine boundaries, but wickets continued to tumble. Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana managed to add 63 runs for the eighth wicket, but ultimately, India fell short, losing by 185 runs. Alana King claimed four wickets, while Georgia Wareham took two, hastening India's defeat.

Looking Ahead to the Perth Test

India's focus now shifts to Perth, where they will compete in a one-off Test match starting March 6. Kaur emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, stating, "It's crucial to keep everyone mentally prepared. Although our preparation time is limited, believing in ourselves and focusing on the right strategies for the team is essential."