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The much-anticipated India Women\u2019s tour of Australia<\/strong><\/a> 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<\/strong>, the Australian captain led from the front, alongside Player of the Match Beth Mooney<\/strong>, 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 \u201cGolden Era\u201d showed no signs of fading, chasing down a target of 215 with 70 balls to spare.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The match began with a nightmare start for the World Champions. Choosing to bat first, India found themselves under immediate pressure when Megan Schutt<\/strong> trapped Pratika Rawal<\/strong> lbw for a duck in the very first over. While the seasoned Smriti Mandhana<\/strong> played a fluent knock of 58 off 68 balls, featuring nine boundaries, she lacked a stable partner at the other end. Australia\u2019s bowling unit operated like a well-oiled machine, with Ashleigh Gardner<\/strong> (3\/33) and Annabel Sutherland<\/strong> (3\/20) dismantling the middle order.<\/p>\n India\u2019s captain Harmanpreet Kaur<\/strong> fought a lonely battle, digging deep to score a gritty 53 off 84 deliveries. Her half-century, supported by brief cameos from Deepti Sharma<\/strong> (24) and Richa Ghosh<\/strong> (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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Shree Charani<\/strong> briefly sparked hope by removing Phoebe Litchfield<\/strong> and Georgia Voll<\/strong> in consecutive deliveries to leave Australia at 55\/2, the recovery was swift and ruthless.<\/p>\n Beth Mooney<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Annabel Sutherland<\/strong><\/a> provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 48, as Australia reached 217\/4 <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n Also\u00a0WATCH: Georgia Voll plucks a screamer to remove Richa Ghosh in 1st WODI<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8Australia outclass world champions India with a commanding six-wicket win in the first ODI. \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n \u2013 Beth Mooney Smashed 76 Runs just 79 Balls \ud83d\udd25 #AUSWvINDW<\/a> #ODIs<\/a> #Brisbane<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/g1FaVXoyUR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sunil Chahar (@SunilChahar22) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n #INDvAUS<\/a> <\/p>\n A supremely controlled performance by Australia at a venue where they have never lost a match (21 wins). The bowlers were superb, the run-chase was controlled masterfully by Beth Mooney. pic.twitter.com\/46sZBmLESK<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Well Played Beth Mooney \ud83e\udd29 #IndwvsAusw<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2fPL1ROlYE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 akash kushwah (@akash_kush64339) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Beth Mooney has made this look ridiculously easy.#INDvAUS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Responsible knock from Alyssa Healy! \ud83d\udcaa#JustTalkCricket<\/a> #India<\/a> #Australia<\/a> #ODI<\/a> #womenscricket<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0OKtpsDHR4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 JustTalkCricket (@JustTalkCricket) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n A comprehensive victory for Australia in the 1st ODI \u26a1#AUSvIND<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/fgHWmX31nd<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Clinical once again! \ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc9a<\/p>\n Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney power Australia to another dominant win over India with a masterclass at the top. When these two click, it\u2019s game over for the opposition. \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83d\udd25#AUSvIND<\/a> #WomensCricket<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Random (@Random144729) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This. I am going to miss this. #ChalkAndCheese<\/a> #AUSvIND<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LycizaWBqy<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 australian womens cricket with very little context (@awcwvlc) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Comm box support hits different when it\u2019s your husband. Alyssa Healy \ud83d\udc9b#AlyssaHealy<\/a> #MitchellStarc<\/a> #AUSvIND<\/a> #WomenInBlue<\/a> #Brisbane<\/a> #TeamIndia<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3BmAiPCsoe<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 lightningspeed (@lightningspeedk) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This Healy looks like she’s got a bright future #ausvind<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tim Michell (@tim_michell) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Also\u00a0WATCH: Pratika Rawal\u2019s return cut short by Megan Schutt\u2019s unplayable inswinger during WODI series opener<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n This article was first published at WomenCricket.com<\/a>, a Cricket Times<\/a> company.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nDisciplined Australian attack stifles Indian batting order for a low score<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney take Australia to an emphatic victory in Women\u2019s ODI opener<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Here\u2019s how fans reacted:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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