Before the ODI series against world champions Australia, both captain Harmanpreet Kaur and coach Amol Muzumdar spoke of the improvements India have made in their fielding in recent times – and rightly so. They also exuded confidence that India are now in a position to consistently challenge the undisputed best team in the women’s game. “I personally feel there is a belief that we have a good team and we can beat them any day,” Harmanpreet had said. But Sunday in Mullanpur wasn’t that day as India’s catching reverted to being ordinary, while even the batting and bowling were below par. In fact, it was another stark reminder of how far ahead Australia are, as Alyssa Healy’s side produced a statement performance to dominate India, winning by 8 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Batting first, India posted 281/7, and Australia completed the chase in 44.1 overs, riding on half-centuries from Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland. “We were 20-30 runs short. Our bowlers were trying to create opportunities but we were not able to capitalize on those opportunities,” Harmanpreet said after the match.
India’s batting effort got off to another brilliant start thanks to Pratika Rawal (64) and Smriti Mandhana (58) – who have now put on five century stands in just 15 innings together – but lost momentum after the vice captain was run out. While the sides’ scores after the first 10 overs were near identical, in the middle overs, India managed just 152/3 in 30 overs while Australia scored 196/1. Rawal slowed down big time after Mandhana’s dismissal while Harleen Deol, who eventually finished with a 57-ball 54, was once again slow to get off the blocks as Australia turned the screws on.
With Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh not contributing significantly, India’s middle order turned in an underwhelming performance.
Litchfield (88 off 80 balls) was dropped twice while Mooney (77 not out off 74) and Ellyse Perry (30 retired hurt) received a lifeline each. Mooney and Sutherland (54 not out off 51) added 116 runs for the third wicket. Mooney, who was dropped by Deepti Sharma on 56, struck nine fours in her knock, while Sutherland had six hits to the fence, once again vindicating Australia’s move to promote her up the order in recent times.
India’s defence never really had any momentum despite Kranti Goud getting Healy out relatively early. It was the Litchfield show after that. She has already made a habit of scoring heavily against India, with her array of sweeps and reverse-sweeps. Litchfield made the most of the reprieves to make 88 runs with 14 fours. Even in Australia’s previous tour, she was at the receiving end of India’s generosity in the field, and went on to score big. She was dropped in the second over when Jemimah Rodrigues spilled a sitter with the Australian yet to open her account. In the 19th over, Harmanpreet Kaur dropped another easy chance at cover when Litchfield was on 56. Perry got a reprieve when Rawal, coming in from deep midwicket, could not hold on to a skier.
With her background as a hockey player coming in handy as well, Litchfield used her wrists expertly to manipulate the field. One of her reverse sweeps even went for a six. After Perry’s retirement due to evident cramps – “she is fine, she is just old,” Healy joked after the match – and Litchfield’s dismissal, Sutherland and Mooney cruised through the remainder of the chase.
Brief Scores: India 281/7 (Pratika Rawal 64, Smriti Mandhana 58; Megan Schutt 2/45) lost to Australia 282/2 in 44.1 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 88, Beth Mooney 77*; Sneh Rana 1/51) by 8 wickets
(With PTI inputs)
The postIndia vs Australia: Reality check ahead of World Cup as Harmanpreet Kaur and Co suffer big defeat in first ODI | Cricket News appeared first on Indian Express
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