How Did Litchfield’s 88 Propel Australia to an Eight-Wicket Victory Over India in the ODI Series Opener?
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Synopsis
In a thrilling ODI series opener, Australia dominated India with a stunning eight-wicket victory, led by Phoebe Litchfield's impressive 88. Despite India's competitive total of 281, Australia's batting prowess shone through, showcasing their depth and skill. Discover how Australia took the lead in this exciting three-match series!
Key Takeaways
- Phoebe Litchfield led the chase with a remarkable 88 runs.
- Beth Mooney contributed significantly with an unbeaten 77 runs.
- Australia successfully chased down 281 runs with ease.
- India's missed fielding chances proved costly.
- Meghan Schutt marked her 100th ODI with key wickets.
New Chandigarh, Sep 14 (NationPress) Half-centuries from Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, and Annabel Sutherland enabled Australia to secure a dominant eight-wicket victory against India in the opening match of the ODI series on Sunday.
Choosing to bat first in the inaugural international match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, India managed to score a competitive 281/7, supported by solid performances from Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, and Harleen Deol.
However, a series of missed opportunities in the field, especially dropping Phoebe first on zero and then again on 56, proved detrimental as the visitors completed their chase with nearly six overs remaining. Phoebe emerged as the top scorer with a commendable 88, demonstrating her remarkable ability against spin.
Despite Ellyse Perry retiring hurt on 30, Beth ensured the momentum stayed with a score of 77 not out, while Annabel contributed 54 not out, helping Australia take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Alyssa Healy provided early impetus in a 45-run partnership before getting bowled by Kranti Goud. Phoebe then formed a 79-run partnership with Ellyse before her injury. After Phoebe was dismissed by Sneh Rana, Beth and Annabel formed an unbroken 116-run partnership off 104 balls to clinch the victory.
Australia's superiority during the middle overs was evident, scoring 196/1 compared to India's 152/3. India's spin attack struggled to maintain a tight grip on the game, and despite a brief moment of control after Healy's wicket, Australia’s batting depth and composed strategy led them to a clinical finish.
Earlier, Pratika and Smriti set the stage for India's total with a 114-run opening partnership on a favorable pitch, expertly handling the new ball. Pratika topped the scorecard with 64 off 96 balls, her sixth ODI fifty, while Smriti contributed a solid 58 off 63 balls, marking her 32nd ODI half-century.
Harleen excelled in the middle overs, scoring 54 off 57 balls and reaching her fourth ODI fifty, but India lost momentum as wickets fell around her.
Late contributions from Richa Ghosh (25), Radha Yadav (19), and Deepti Sharma (20 not out) helped lift India's total past 280, marking their joint second-highest total against Australia in women's ODIs.
For Australia, pacer Meghan Schutt, playing in her 100th ODI and becoming the ninth Australian to achieve this milestone, was the standout bowler, taking two wickets, while Kim Garth, Annabel, Alana King, and Tahlia McGrath each secured one wicket.
Brief scores:
India 281/7 in 50 overs (Pratika Rawal 64, Smriti Mandhana 58; Megan Schutt 2-45, Alana King 1-28) lost to Australia 282/2 in 44.1 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 88, Beth Mooney 77 not out; Sneh Rana 1-51, Kranti Goud 1-55) by eight wickets.
Point of View
It is essential to appreciate the remarkable performances displayed during this ODI series opener. Australia’s ability to capitalize on missed opportunities and maintain composure under pressure exemplifies their strength in women's cricket. Moving forward, it will be vital for India to address their fielding and bowling strategies to stay competitive in the remaining matches.
NationPress
14/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the standout performances in the ODI series opener?
Phoebe Litchfield with 88 runs, Beth Mooney with 77 not out, and Pratika Rawal with 64 runs were the standout performances in the ODI series opener.
How did Australia secure their victory over India?
Australia secured victory by successfully chasing India's total of 281 runs, finishing with a score of 282/2 in 44.1 overs.
What impact did missed chances have on the match?
Missed chances, particularly dropping key players like Phoebe Litchfield, significantly impacted India's ability to contain Australia’s batting, ultimately costing them the match.
What was India's total in the match?
India posted a total of 281 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their 50 overs.
Who were the key bowlers for Australia?
Meghan Schutt was the standout bowler for Australia, taking 2 wickets, while Kim Garth, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, and Tahlia McGrath each took one wicket.
