Australia Women Clinch 8-Wicket Win Over India in 1st ODI at New Chandigarh
India Women posted 281 for 7 with fifties from Pratika Rawal (64), Smriti Mandhana (58) and Harleen Deol (54). Australia Women replied strongly as Phoebe Litchfield top scored with 88, while Beth Mooney (77*) and Annabel Sutherland (54*) ensured a comfortable chase, reaching 282 for 2 in 44.1 overs to win by 8 wickets.
On an evening at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, September 14, 2025, marked the start of an electrifying one-day international series between India Women and Australia Women. India, winning the toss, chose to bat first on a pitch that promised runs but also offered enough for disciplined bowlers. They posted a respectable 281 for 7 in their 50 overs, built on gritty half-centuries and steady partnerships, though Australia’s bowlers kept them in check. The chase, however, was a masterclass from Australia, who romped to 282 for 2 in just 44.1 overs, led by a dazzling Phoebe Litchfield, a rock-solid Beth Mooney, and a fiery Annabel Sutherland.
India Women’s Innings
India’s innings began with openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana stepping out to face Australia’s new-ball pair, Megan Schutt and Kim Garth. The crowd was still settling in as the duo played cautiously, sizing up a pitch that swung early but flattened out under the lights. They saw off the first powerplay (overs 0.1 to 10) with 55 runs on the board, no wickets down, a decent start on a surface that demanded respect but rewarded clean hitting. Mandhana, all elegance, flicked and drove with precision, while Rawal played the steadier hand, picking gaps and defending tightly. By the 8th over, their partnership crossed 50, with Rawal on 27, Mandhana on 20, and 4 extras in the mix. Mandhana’s cover drives off Garth and a pulled boundary off Schutt had the crowd roaring.
A MAXIMUM from Harleen Deol to get things going 🔥#TeamIndia 131/1 after 26 overs
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 14, 2025
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/LS3igwDIqz#INDvAUS | @IDFCFirstBank | @imharleenDeol pic.twitter.com/L3ZfNC8mVB
As the innings rolled on, the pair found their groove. Drinks arrived in the 13th over with India at 75 for no loss with Rawal on 36, Mandhana on 34. The scoreboard ticked faster now, and by the 18th over, India hit 100, their opening stand reaching a century off 106 balls (Rawal 45, Mandhana 49, plus 6 extras). Mandhana raised her fifty first, off 55 balls, her six fours and a lofted six showcasing her class. Rawal wasn’t far behind, reaching her half-century off 67 balls with 6 fours, her composed approach anchoring the innings.
Just when it seemed India would cruise, Australia struck. In the 22nd over, a mix-up saw Mandhana run out for 58 off 63 balls, courtesy of a pinpoint direct hit from Phoebe Litchfield. The 114-run stand was broken, and India were 114 for 1. Harleen Deol walked in, and with Rawal, kept the runs flowing. At the second drinks break in the 30th over, India were 142 for 1, Rawal on 64, Deol on 14. But Rawal’s vigil ended soon after, caught by Ellyse Perry off Alana King’s spin for 64 off 96 balls (6 fours). Her knock had been the backbone, but at 154 for 2, India needed to rebuild.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur came in at four, looking to dominate. She cracked a six off her 9 balls, scoring 11, but fell to an lbw decision off Annabel Sutherland in the 34th over. India’s review couldn’t save her, and at 161 for 3, the momentum wobbled. Deol, though, was growing in confidence, smashing her fifty off 50 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes. She and Jemimah Rodrigues pushed India to 200 in the 39th over, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Deol’s charge ended in the 41st over, stumped by Alyssa Healy off Schutt for 54 off 57 balls, leaving India at 207 for 4.
Rodrigues tried to anchor but fell for 18 off 26 balls, caught by King off Tahlia McGrath in the 43rd over at 232 for 5. Richa Ghosh, the keeper, brought fireworks with 25 off 20 balls (2 fours, 1 six), but Schutt had her caught by Ashleigh Gardner in the 46th over at 244 for 6. Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav then unleashed in the death overs. Yadav’s 19 off 14 balls, with 3 cracking fours, ended when Perry pouched her off Garth in the final over at 274 for 7. Sharma stayed unbeaten on 20 off 16 balls (2 fours), with Shree Charani not out on 2 off 2. Extras added 10 (2 leg byes, 3 no balls, 5 wides).
𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸!#TeamIndia posted 281/7 on the board! 💪
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 14, 2025
6⃣4⃣ for Pratika Rawal
5⃣8⃣ for vice-captain Smriti Mandhana
5⃣4⃣ for Harleen Deol
Over to our bowlers now! 👍 👍
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Fw3TUl2thL#INDvAUS | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/AUhrBa6yKX
Australia’s bowlers were relentless, conceding just 5.62 runs per over. Schutt was the star with 2 for 45 in 7 overs, her swing causing headaches. Garth took 1 for 56 in 10 overs, including a maiden, while Sutherland (1 for 31 in 6 overs), King (1 for 28 in 6 overs, with a maiden), and McGrath (1 for 33 in 4 overs) kept things tight. Gardner (0 for 35 in 7 overs), Perry (0 for 15 in 3 overs), and Georgia Wareham (0 for 36 in 7 overs) didn’t take wickets but bowled nagging lines. The run-out and Kaur’s lbw were game-changers, but India’s three fifties ensured a competitive 281.
Australia Women’s Innings
Australia’s reply was a batting clinic, chasing 282 in 44.1 overs for just 2 wickets, with 35 balls to spare. Phoebe Litchfield’s 88, Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 77, and Annabel Sutherland’s unbeaten 54 left India’s bowlers searching for answers. Alyssa Healy and Litchfield opened against Kranti Goud and Sneh Rana, racing to 58 for 1 in the powerplay. Healy was all aggression, hammering 27 off 23 balls (5 fours) before Goud bowled her in the 7th over at 45 for 1. Litchfield, unfazed, played shots that oozed class, especially through the covers.
Partnership broken!
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 14, 2025
Sneh Rana with the breakthrough ⚡️
Phoebe Litchfield departs for 88.
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/LS3igwDIqz#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @SnehRana15 pic.twitter.com/qCf2WnGM04
Ellyse Perry joined her, and by the first drinks break in the 15th over, Australia were 98 for 1 with Litchfield on 51 (44 balls, 9 fours), Perry on 18. Their 79-run stand was cruising when Perry retired hurt on 30 off 38 balls (3 fours, 1 six) in the 20th over at 124 for 1, after lofting a six off Radha Yadav. Beth Mooney stepped up and with Litchfield, kept the chase on track. Australia hit 100 in the 16th over, 150 in the 24th. Litchfield’s sublime 88 off 80 balls (14 fours) ended in the 27th over, caught by substitute Arundhati Reddy off Rana at 166 for 2.
Her knock earned her Player of the Match. Mooney and Sutherland then took over, unbeaten and unstoppable. At the second drinks break in the 30th over, Australia were 182 for 2, Mooney on 26, Sutherland on 7. They cranked up the pace, reaching 200 in the 33rd over and 250 in the 40th. Mooney’s 77 not out off 74 balls (9 fours) was all about precision, while Sutherland’s 54 not out off 51 balls (6 fours) brought raw power.
Australia win the ODI series opener. #TeamIndia will aim to come back stronger in the second ODI of the series. 👍 👍
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 14, 2025
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Fw3TUl2thL#INDvAUS | @IDFCFirstBank pic.twitter.com/3Soxn1QgMg
Their 116-run stand off 107 balls sealed the deal. India’s bowlers were outclassed, leaking 6.38 runs per over. Goud took 1 for 55 in 8 overs, Rana 1 for 51 in 10 overs (1 maiden), while Deepti Sharma (0 for 59 in 10 overs, 1 maiden), Shree Charani (0 for 55 in 8.1 overs), and Yadav (0 for 61 in 8 overs) toiled without reward. Perry being retired hurt offered a glimmer, but Australia’s depth and aggression crushed India’s hopes.
TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game
In a match where India Women faced a mighty Australian side, Harleen Deol stole the spotlight with the TCNI Magic Moment. Walking in after Smriti Mandhana’s run-out, Deol played with grit and flair, scoring 54 off 57 balls. Her knock, peppered with 4 boundaries and 2 massive sixes, carried a strike rate of 94.73.
A half-century filled with stylish stroke play!
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 14, 2025
4th ODI Fifty for Harleen Deol 👏👏#TeamIndia inching closer to the 200-run mark
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/LS3igwDIqz#INDvAUS | @IDFCFirstBank | @imharleenDeol pic.twitter.com/49Wxr8LF6f
Against a probing attack led by Schutt and Garth, Deol was a rock, rotating the strike and smashing loose balls during her 72-minute stay. Her partnerships, especially post-Rawal, kept India’s innings alive. Stumped by Healy off Schutt at 207 for 4 in the 40.1st over, Deol’s elegant yet gutsy knock was the heartbeat of India’s 281 for 7, making it the match’s defining moment.
TCNI’s Hero of the Day
Phoebe Litchfield earned TCNI’s Hero of the Day for her match-defining 88 off 80 balls in Australia’s commanding chase. Her 111-minute innings, featuring 14 crisp fours and a strike rate of 110.00, showcased her skill and composure under pressure. Litchfield set the tone, forming key partnerships, including a 79-run stand with Perry before the latter retired hurt.
Phoebe Litchfield – 88
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 14, 2025
Beth Mooney – 77*
Annabel Sutherland – 54*
A comfortable 8-wicket win with 5.5 overs to spare for Australia in the first ODI.#INDWvAUSW pic.twitter.com/B2bUC5EO9F
Her ability to dominate India’s bowlers with precise gap-finding and elegant drives laid the foundation for Australia’s 8-wicket win at 282 for 2 in 44.1 overs. Though dismissed by a catch from substitute Reddy off Rana, Litchfield’s knock was the cornerstone of Australia’s success, cementing her as the standout performer.
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