Harmanpreet Kaur and Pratika Rawal produced half-centuries, but India were unable to fully cash in on a rare off day from Australia in the field, finishing on 251 for 9 in the second ODI at Bellerive Oval.
India 251 for 9 (Harmanpreet 54, Rawal 52) vs Australia
Australia’s attack shared the spoils, with Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner standing out among the wicket-takers.
Strong Start Undone by Middle-Order Collapse
Rawal and Smriti Mandhana handed India early control through a 78-run opening stand. However, the innings unravelled quickly as five wickets fell for 52 runs, shifting momentum back towards Australia.
Harmanpreet steadied the innings late on, keeping India in contention in the ODI leg of the multi-format series, which remains level at 4 points each.
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Australia had entered the contest after learning that Sophie Molineux would miss the rest of the multi-format series with a back injury. Despite an uncharacteristically untidy fielding display that featured several dropped chances, the visitors recovered well with the ball.
Annabel Sutherland returned figures of 2 for 37, although she delivered only seven overs. King and Gardner both picked up two wickets, while Nicola Carey, drafted in late for Molineux, ended with 1 for 55 from 8 overs.
Missed Opportunities After Promising Conditions
India may look back at their erratic batting during the middle phase, especially after bright, sunny conditions appeared favourable for a substantial total. Harmanpreet, who confirmed her fitness following a knee injury sustained in the ODI opener, secured her fifth consecutive toss win in the multi-series.
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Rawal was keen to respond after falling to Megan Schutt for a second-ball duck in Brisbane in what had been an earlier-than-anticipated return from knee and ankle injuries that ended her World Cup campaign. She adapted smoothly to the calmer conditions, striking a pair of elegant drives off Schutt, who struggled to generate significant swing.
While Rawal looked assured, Mandhana appeared out of rhythm at a venue where she scored her maiden ODI century in 2016. Arriving after successive half-centuries in the multi-series, Mandhana managed her first boundary in fortunate fashion, edging between wicketkeeper Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy at first slip.
She was reprieved on 15 when Gardner failed to hold onto a sharp low chance at point. Mandhana capitalised on the escape as she and Rawal brought up their 50 partnership in the 12th over.
Australia Fight Back
Carey, playing her first ODI since the 2022 World Cup, applied pressure with a disciplined spell, during which Mandhana began to lose fluency. On 26, she survived another scare after advancing at Gardner and mistiming high towards mid-on, only for Tahlia McGrath to drop the opportunity.
Mandhana, however, never truly settled and was eventually bowled by Gardner after moving across her crease. Rawal reached her measured half-century from 76 balls and looked set to build alongside Jemimah Rodrigues, who was promoted back to No. 3 with Shafali Verma rested.
Rodrigues edged behind off Sutherland while attempting to guide the ball to deep third, undone by extra bounce. India’s slide continued as Rawal was caught short following a mix-up with Harmanpreet, and Deepti Sharma found deep midwicket off King, who once again delivered effectively through the middle overs.
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Carey added another wicket when Amanjot Kaur, recalled to the XI, was taken behind by Mooney, who pulled off an excellent catch standing up to the stumps.
Richa Ghosh cleared the ropes for the innings’ first six but was later trapped lbw by King after a review overturned the on-field call.
Late Resistance Lifts India
With pressure mounting, Harmanpreet found support from Kashvee Gautam, who carried forward her solid form from Brisbane. The pair added 55 runs together, guiding India to a total of 251 for 9 and setting up a competitive challenge for the bowlers to defend.
