Pink-ball Test: Alyssa Healy signs off with win as Australia beat India by 10 wickets, seal series 12–4
With the emphatic victory, Australia also sealed the multi-format series with an unassailable 12-4 lead.
Australia Women registered a dominant six-wicket victory over India Women in the first ODI of the multi-format series at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, on Tuesday. Chasing a modest target of 215, the hosts reached 217/4 in 38.2 overs, finishing the game with 70 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
India’s decision to bat first under cloudy conditions backfired as the visitors were rocked early by Australia’s disciplined new-ball attack.
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Pratika Rawal was dismissed lbw by Megan Schutt on the very first ball of the innings, before Shafali Verma fell soon after to a sharp return catch from Darcie Brown. Jemimah Rodrigues also failed to capitalise, departing for 8 as Ashleigh Gardner struck, leaving India reeling at 31/3 inside eight overs.
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Smriti Mandhana steadied the innings with a composed knock, riding her luck early before settling into her trademark fluent strokeplay. She brought up her half-century off 61 balls, anchoring the innings with elegant drives and confident pulls. However, Tahlia McGrath dismissed her for 58 with a brilliant catch at fine leg, triggering another collapse.
Deepti Sharma was removed by Alana King in the next over, and India slipped to 140/6 by the 35th over. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur struggled to find momentum but held the innings together, reaching her 23rd ODI fifty (53 off 84 balls). Richa Ghosh made 23, but her innings ended with a superb diving catch by Georgia Voll.
Kashvee Gautam showed composure in the lower order, but the lack of support cost India dearly. Gardner struck again to dismiss Harmanpreet, while Kranti Gaud and Sree Charani fell cheaply. Gautam was run out in the penultimate over as India were bowled out for 214 in 48.3 overs.
Valuable knocks from Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, and Kashvee Gautam
Over to our bowlers as we defend 2⃣1⃣4⃣ runs
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/yUKqC8iLON#TeamIndia | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/9OgUEYTdTo
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) February 24, 2026
Australia’s chase was built on a solid top-order foundation and a clinical middle-order performance.
Captain Alyssa Healy, playing in her farewell series, scored a fluent 50 off 70 balls and shared a 55-run opening stand with Phoebe Litchfield (32). Despite a brief wobble that saw Georgia Voll dismissed for a duck, Beth Mooney ensured there were no further hiccups.
Mooney played a composed innings of 76 off 79 balls, adding a 64-run partnership with Healy that effectively put the game beyond India’s reach. After Mooney fell with just 11 runs required, Annabel Sutherland (48* off 44) and Ashleigh Gardner (5*) finished the chase comfortably.
For India, Nallapureddy Charani was the standout bowler with 2/41, while Kranti Gaud dismissed Healy yet again, continuing her impressive record against the Australian captain.
Harmanpreet Kaur Injury Update
India suffered a major concern during the match as captain Harmanpreet Kaur sustained a blow to her left knee while batting. Although she continued her innings and completed her half-century, she did not take the field in the second innings.
The BCCI later confirmed that Harmanpreet is being monitored by the medical team, with Smriti Mandhana leading the side in her absence.
“Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has not taken the field in the second innings after sustaining an injury to her left knee while batting. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring her progress,” the board said in a statement.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has not taken the field in the second innings after sustaining an injury to her left knee while batting. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring her progress. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is leading the side in her absence.#TeamIndia |…
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) February 24, 2026
With this win, Australia lead the three-match ODI series 1-0. The second ODI will be played in Hobart on February 27.
India vs Australia Women, 1st ODI: Playing XIs
India: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh
Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molienux, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
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