India succumb to Australia in series opener - Talking points

The Indian women's cricket team suffered a crushing defeat in the first of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday.

Batting first, India could only manage a paltry score of 100 before getting bowled out in good batting conditions, with an experimental top-order falling flat.

Megan Schutt led the Aussie bowling attack, picking up her maiden five-fer in ODIs, with figures of 5-19.

In reply, Australia did stutter after a promising start, but thanks to Georgia Voll's unbeaten 46 (42 balls, 6x4s, 1x6), the hosts cruised to victory in just 16.2 overs.

India makes a meal of good batting conditions

After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, India lost its openers pretty quickly, Smriti Mandhana, the inform batter getting out for 8 and her new opening partner Priya Punia managing just 3 runs.

Harleen Deol, back in the team and sent in at no.3, steadied things with Harmanpreet.

At the10 over mark, India were looking good at 40-2, but the collapse began shortly thereafter.

First to fall was Harleen, thanks to a brilliant catch from Sutherland, and then shortly after, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was struck in front for 17.

Jemimah looked to steady things but she too couldn't last long, getting out bowled to a wonderful delivery from Kim Garth.

At 89-5, things looked bleak for India but what followed was a monumental collapse, with the last five wickets falling for just 11 runs, and India ultimately got skittled out for 100 in under 35 overs.

Aussies stumble, but cross the line

In reply, chasing a meek total, the Australians got off to a flying start, with openers Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll playing with freedom and the scorecard quickly read 48/0 in under seven overs.

But Renuka Singh breathed life into this game by picking up three quick wickets for just four runs, and the Australians, from 48/0, were in a spot of bother at 52/3.

Georgia Voll then took control of the chase and steadied the ship, and continued with her positive batting intent, and the scorecard raced along, despite wickets falling at the other end.

In the end, in just 16.2 overs, the Aussies wrapped up the chase, winning by five wickets, courtesy of Voll's unbeaten 46.

Batting, India's concern

It is the same old story for India with the bat yet again.

If Smriti or Kaur don't pile on runs, the other batters around them look clueless and often times, are unable to soak up the pressure.

With Shefali dropped, there had to be a rejig of the batting order and this too is seemingly not working out for India.

This is India's 10th defeat in the last 11 ODIs against Australia, and with the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup looming large, India needs to start finding solutions and batters like Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh need to take up that responsibility.

'We will reflect on this'

Kaur was disappointed with the batting failure, insisting that there were starts but none were able to push on.

"A few of us got starts in the batting but we were not able to take the batting till the end and [we should] work on the partnerships. We will keep working hard and reflect on this," she said, in the post-match presentation.

A positive that did emerge from the game was India's bowling unit, which, in the absence of Pooja Vastrakar, managed to do well, cleaning up half the Australian batting unit.

"We bowled well even though it was a disappointing total on board. We were still able to take five wickets. We know the pitch now and hopefully, have some clear ideas for the next ODI," Kaur added.

On the other hand, Talia McGrath was a happy woman seeing her side start strongly in the series.

"My job was really easy because the bowlers were unbelievable, fielding was outstanding and then how good was Volley (Voll's 46) on that!" she exclaimed.

She further added "Chasing low total is tricky, we try to be aggressive," clarifying on the team's batting approach in chasing down low scores.

What next?

The second of the three-match ODI series will be played on Sunday, 8th December, at the same ground.

India will look to brush off this defeat and come back with fresh ideas on how to stop the Aussie juggernaut.