Image Credit- BCCI
Australia ended the Alyssa Healy era on a high note on
Tuesday, defeating India 3-0 in the first ODI in Mumbai.
Following a brilliant century from Phoebe Litchfield
and an impressive 82 from Healy to take the side to 338 for 7, their spinners
tore through the India lineup to hand Australia a massive 190-run triumph. In
ODIs, this was India’s third-largest defeat.
Thanks to two outstanding catches by Litchfield and
Tahlia McGrath, as well as some methodical bowling on a dry Wankhede surface,
India were never in the chase. Megan Schutt thoroughly destroyed Yastika Bhatia
in the fifth over, signalling the beginning of the collapse. Smriti Mandhana,
who had begun well, fell for 29 when trying to go big as Schutt struck once
more four overs later. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s bad run of form continued
when she was dismissed for three, concluding the series with a total of seventeen.
The new No. 3 for India, Richa Ghosh, made it through
29 deliveries before Georgia Wareham bowled her in the 16th over after she
misplayed a sweep. However, in the 21st over, Litchfield produced a
breathtaking one-handed catch at cover to send Jemimah Rodrigues back for 25,
turning the tide of the match in Australia’s favour. Then, with Pooja Vastrakar
on the off stump, Alana King produced a brilliant legbreak, pitching on leg
stump and twisting away to leave India reeling at 128 for 7. With three wickets
from Wareham and two apiece from King, Sutherland, and Schutt, India was bowled
out for 148 in the 33rd over.
Litchfield and Healy, who chose to bat first,
dominated the opening wicket partnership of 189 runs, the greatest total
against this opponent.
India dropped two catches in the afternoon, indicating
a poor day in the field. They have missed ten catches this series altogether.
Even though the series was not included in the Women’s
Championship, India may currently have more questions than answers given that
they will host the ODI World Cup in 2025.