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    Fans erupt as Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney steer Australia to dominant victory over India in Women’s ODI opener

    Cricket
    Runfyers
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    The much-anticipated India Women’s tour of Australia kicked off with a display of clinical efficiency from the hosts at the Gabba on Tuesday (February 24, 2026). In what is an emotional farewell series for the legendary Alyssa Healy, the Australian captain led from the front, alongside Player of the Match Beth Mooney, to secure a commanding 6-wicket victory in the opening Day/Night ODI. Despite India entering the series with the prestige of being the reigning World Champions, the Australian “Golden Era” showed no signs of fading, chasing down a target of 215 with 70 balls to spare.

    The atmosphere in Brisbane was electric as fans gathered to witness the first chapter of this high-stakes series. However, for the Indian contingent, the night proved to be a challenging outing against a disciplined Australian bowling attack that exploited the humid conditions perfectly under the lights.

    Disciplined Australian attack stifles Indian batting order for a low score

    The match began with a nightmare start for the World Champions. Choosing to bat first, India found themselves under immediate pressure when Megan Schutt trapped Pratika Rawal lbw for a duck in the very first over. While the seasoned Smriti Mandhana played a fluent knock of 58 off 68 balls, featuring nine boundaries, she lacked a stable partner at the other end. Australia’s bowling unit operated like a well-oiled machine, with Ashleigh Gardner (3/33) and Annabel Sutherland (3/20) dismantling the middle order.

    India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur fought a lonely battle, digging deep to score a gritty 53 off 84 deliveries. Her half-century, supported by brief cameos from Deepti Sharma (24) and Richa Ghosh (23), pushed India past the 200-mark. However, the lack of a late-inning acceleration proved costly. India was eventually bundled out for 214 in 48.3 overs. The Australian bowlers maintained a stranglehold throughout the innings, ensuring that the world-class Indian hitters were never allowed to break free, setting the stage for a straightforward chase.

    Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney take Australia to an emphatic victory in Women’s ODI opener

    The chase was defined by experience and composure. Captain Healy, playing in her final international series, looked determined to leave on a high. She anchored the top order with a solid 50 off 70 balls, providing the perfect platform. Although India’s Shree Charani briefly sparked hope by removing Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll in consecutive deliveries to leave Australia at 55/2, the recovery was swift and ruthless.

    Beth Mooney joined her captain to put on a batting clinic. Mooney, who was later named Player of the Match, scored a brilliant 76 off 79 balls, striking five boundaries and two massive sixes. Her ability to rotate the strike kept the scoreboard ticking at over five runs per over, effectively deflating the Indian bowling spirit. By the time Mooney departed in the 37th over, the result was a foregone conclusion.

    Annabel Sutherland provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 48, as Australia reached 217/4 in just 38.2 overs. The victory levelled up Australia to a scoreline of 4-4 in the multiformat series, sending a clear message that while India may hold the World Title, the Aussies remain the team to beat on their home soil.

    Also WATCH: Georgia Voll plucks a screamer to remove Richa Ghosh in 1st WODI

    Here’s how fans reacted:

    Also WATCH: Pratika Rawal’s return cut short by Megan Schutt’s unplayable inswinger during WODI series opener

    This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.



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