India's Struggles in First ODI Against Australia: A Closer Look

Match Overview

Brisbane: In the opening ODI of the women's series against Australia, India delivered a lackluster batting display, getting bowled out for just 214 runs. Despite commendable half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the team's performance fell short.

Ashleigh Gardner emerged as the star bowler for Australia, achieving impressive figures of three wickets for 33 runs in her seven overs.

With Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry sidelined due to quad injuries, the Australian team made last-minute changes, bringing in pacers Megan Schutt and Lucy Hamilton.

Megan Schutt made an immediate impact, dismissing Pratika Rawal for a duck with a sharp inswinging delivery in the very first over. This match marked Rawal's return to the national team after recovering from an ankle injury sustained during India's victorious ODI World Cup campaign last year.

Shafali Verma, batting at number three for the first time, struggled to find her rhythm and was dismissed after a brief innings, caught off a delivery from Darcie Brown.

Mandhana, scoring 58 runs off 68 balls, started strong with a series of boundaries before showcasing her skill with elegant drives against the pace bowlers.

The Australian spinners maintained pressure during the middle overs, with Gardner taking the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues, who edged a full delivery to the wicketkeeper.

After both Mandhana and Deepti Sharma fell to sweep shots, Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 53 runs off 84 balls, attempted to stabilize the innings but also succumbed to a sweep shot off Gardner.

Kashvee Gautam contributed significantly with 43 runs off 44 balls, hitting three sixes, including a notable straight six off Megan Schutt, helping the team surpass the 200-run mark in an otherwise disappointing batting effort.