Australia vs India Women’s ODI Series: Mandhana fights back after Aussie new-ball blitz

Under bright Brisbane skies at Allan Border Field, Australia came out breathing fire – but Smriti Mandhana has punched right back.

In the opening women’s one-day international between two heavyweights, it was a tale of early carnage and mid-innings composure as India steadied after a brutal new-ball assault.

AUSTRALIA STRIKE EARLY; INDIA ROCKED AT 0-1

India won the toss and chose to bat. Minutes later, they were in chaos.

0-1: Rawal trapped LBW by Megan Schutt.

25-2: Shafali Verma chipped a return catch to Darcie Brown.

52-3: Jemimah Rodrigues fell to Ash Gardner, brilliantly gloved by Beth Mooney.

From 0-1 to 52-3, Australia were ruthless.

Megan Schutt was magnificent with the new ball, swinging it late and finding edges at will. Darcie Brown hit sharp lengths, while Ashleigh Gardner made an instant impact with spin, drawing Rodrigues forward before inducing the faintest nick through to Beth Mooney behind the stumps.

Australia were swarming. India were scrambling.

ENTER MANDHANA: FROM EDGES TO ELEGANCE

Smriti Mandhana survived a nervy start; edges flying between slips, plays and misses aplenty, before shifting gears in style.

First a velvet cover drive. Then a crisp pull. Then another commanding drive through extra cover.

By the 20th over, she brought up a gritty half-century, transforming from tentative to ominous.

At 22 overs, India were at 95-3, with Mandhana at 55 and Harmanpreet Kaur at 19.

HARMANPREET JOINS THE REBUILD

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has dug in alongside Mandhana, weathering testing spells from Tahlia McGrath and Annabel Sutherland.

There’s been bounce. There’s been seam movement. There’s been sharp turn from Alana King. But India’s fourth-wicket pair are absorbing the pressure, rotating strike, and rebuilding with intent.

Australia sensed the game drifting briefly, cue captain Alyssa Healy throwing the ball to King to inject urgency, yet India have responded with patience rather than panic.

MOMENTUM SHIFT?

Australia owned the first hour.

India are clawing back the second.

With Mandhana now set and Harmanpreet settling into rhythm, this contest at Allan Border Field is delicately poised. One breakthrough could trigger another collapse. One big partnership could flip the script entirely.

The opening ODI has already delivered drama, swing, spin, and star power.

And we’re only halfway through the first innings.