MUMBAI — A formidable Australian side sent a powerful message to their hosts, dismantling India by eight wickets in the opening one-day international at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Powered by commanding half-centuries from opener Phoebe Litchfield, the experienced Beth Mooney, and a blistering cameo from all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, the visitors chased down India’s total of 282 with 21 balls to spare, showcasing the depth and clinical nature that has defined their dominance in women’s cricket.
Litchfield and Healy Set the Platform
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, Australia made early inroads, but a fighting century from India’s middle order had seemingly set up a competitive contest. Any hopes of an Indian victory, however, were swiftly extinguished by a breathtaking display of batting from the Australian top order. Litchfield, the 20-year-old prodigy, was in sublime touch from the outset, combining elegant stroke play with aggressive intent. Alongside captain Alyssa Healy, who provided a characteristically brisk start, Litchfield ensured the required run rate was never a concern. The pair put on a commanding 148-run opening stand, effectively breaking the back of the chase before the 25th over. Healy fell for a well-made 38, but the foundation was unshakable.
Mooney and Sutherland Provide Masterclass
The departure of Healy brought the ever-reliable Beth Mooney to the crease, and she seamlessly continued the momentum. Litchfield brought up her second consecutive ODI fifty, a knock filled with precision and power, before eventually being dismissed for a superb 78 off 89 balls. Her dismissal did little to slow the Australian juggernaut, as Annabel Sutherland joined Mooney and unleashed a devastating assault on the Indian bowlers. Sutherland, fresh off a record-breaking Test double-century just days prior, played with breathtaking freedom, smashing 5 fours and 3 sixes in her 27-ball stay. Her explosive innings of 50 not out completely demoralized the Indian attack and turned a comfortable chase into a procession.
At the other end, Mooney played the anchor to perfection, rotating the strike and finding the boundary with her trademark efficiency. She remained unbeaten on a classy 62, guiding her team home with Sutherland. Reflecting on the comprehensive performance, captain Alyssa Healy praised her team's intent, stating, "The way the two (Litchfield and Mooney) went about it, and then 'Sutho' (Sutherland) coming in and doing what she does, it was pretty clinical in the end. It's a great way to start the series."
India's Fighting Total Proves Inadequate
Earlier, after being put in to bat, India found themselves in early trouble at 43 for 2, losing their prolific opener Smriti Mandhana cheaply. A magnificent 117-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Jemimah Rodrigues (82) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (74) resurrected the innings and laid the platform for a substantial total. Rodrigues was particularly impressive, playing a wide array of shots, while Kaur provided the muscle, hitting 4 sixes in her innings. Pooja Vastrakar provided a late flourish with a quickfire 28, pushing India to a seemingly respectable 282 for 8.
However, the total always looked slightly below par on a good batting surface against a powerhouse Australian lineup. The Indian bowling attack lacked penetration and was guilty of bowling too many boundary balls, a luxury you cannot afford against the world champions. Key areas for improvement for India include:
- Powerplay Bowling: Failing to take early wickets.
- Middle-over Control: Inability to build pressure through dot balls.
- Fielding: A few dropped chances and missed opportunities in the field.
A Statement of Intent from Australia
This victory was a stark reminder of Australia's all-round strength. While their batting was spectacular, their bowling effort was equally professional. Spinner Ashleigh Gardner was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 67, while the pace trio of Kim Garth, Megan Schutt, and Sutherland provided control throughout the innings. The win underscores their status as the team to beat, displaying a perfect blend of youthful exuberance and experienced calm. The manner of the chase, achieving the target with such ease, will give them immense confidence heading into the remainder of the multi-format series.
Looking Ahead to the Series
The one-sided nature of this contest puts India under immediate pressure. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the challenge, saying, "We had a good total on the board, but the way they batted, they outplayed us. We need to come back stronger with our plans, especially with the ball." The teams now move to the second ODI, where India will be desperate to level the series and prove they can compete with the best. For Australia, the goal will be to maintain this level of intensity and secure the series victory with a game to spare. This opening match has set the tone for what promises to be a compelling contest, but India must find answers quickly to avoid another one-sided affair.
The depth of Australia's talent pool was on full display, with player-of-the-match Annabel Sutherland summing up the team's ethos: "It's a pretty special team to be a part of. We back each other immensely, and it's just about going out there and playing with that freedom. It's a great sign for the group that different people can stand up on different days." On this evidence, stopping this Australian machine will require a near-perfect performance from the home side.