India’s performance in their opening women’s ODI against Australia was nothing short of a batting nightmare. Starting at a precarious position of 89/4, the team ultimately collapsed spectacularly, being bowled out for a mere 100 runs. This disastrous innings showed the clinical bowling display by the Australian team and the immense pressure faced by the Indian women’s team batters in Brisbane. Veteran Meghan Schutt bagged a fifer.
How Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. fared vs AUS
The collapse began with the early dismissals of openers Smriti Mandhana and Priya Punia. Mandhana, typically a destructive opener, was dismissed softly, while Punia looked rusty and struggled under the mounting pressure. Her return to the national team was far from memorable, as she failed to provide the solid start and got out for 3.
Middle-order batters Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur all showed promise initially, getting starts but failing to convert them into substantial innings. Rodrigues top-scored with 23 runs, while Deol contributed 19, but these were mere drops in an ocean of disappointment. The lack of substantial partnerships and runs in the middle overs led to a rapid succession of wickets.
The Australian bowling attack was ruthless and precise. Megan Schutt was the star of the show, claiming a magnificent five-wicket haul (5/19) in just 6.2 overs. Her performance was complemented by Ashleigh Gardner, whose off-break bowling was incredibly economical, conceding only 14 runs in seven overs. The hosts exploited every weakness in the Indian batting lineup, leaving the visitors shellshocked and comprehensively outplayed.
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