Australia produced a commanding performance with both bat and ball to beat India by five wickets in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. In a high-quality match that formed part of the multi-format series between the two sides, India set a competitive target of 251, but Australia’s superior chase saw them reach 252 for 5 in 36.1 overs, securing the win with 83 balls to spare and a clear advantage in the ODI leg of the series. Australia now lead 6–4 on points in the overall series.
India won the toss and opted to bat first under clear Hobart skies. Early on, their innings looked steady with a solid start in the powerplay, but breakthroughs by Australia soon ensured India never gained full control. India reached 78 for 1 by 16.3 overs, with contributions from the top order. The backbone of India’s innings came from two experienced batters.
Pratika Rawal scored 52 off 81 balls at a strike rate of 64.20, anchoring the middle overs and rotating strike effectively while punishing loose deliveries. Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 54 from 70 deliveries at a strike rate of 77.14, providing composure and valuable runs in the middle phase of the innings. These two shared key partnerships that kept India competitive.
However, India lost wickets at regular intervals, which prevented them from consistently accelerating. Smriti Mandhana made 31 off 37 balls (SR 83.78), but lacked prolonged momentum, while Richa Ghosh added a quick 22 off 19 (SR 115.79) late in the innings. Lower down the order, Kashvee Gautam chipped in with 25 off 34 balls and number 10 Vaishnavi Sharma hit 10 off 5 balls which included two boundaries. India’s innings ended on 251 for 9 in 50 overs, a respectable score but one that would prove attainable on the batting surface.
Australia’s bowlers were disciplined throughout the innings. Ashleigh Gardner led the attack with 2 wickets for 39 runs in her 10 overs, putting pressure on the Indian middle order. Alana King matched that with 2 for 41, using sharp variations to induce errors, while Nicola Carey chipped in with 1 for 55 off eight overs and Annabel Sutherland contributed with a wicket for 37 runs in her 7 overs. The Australian attack struck at key phases, ensuring India never built extremely big partnerships.
Chasing 252, Australia began with intent on a surface that had eased out for batting. Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield opened the innings, but Healy was dismissed early for 6 off 10 balls, leaving Litchfield to shoulder the chase. Despite the early loss, Litchfield hit her stride, scoring an impressive 80 off 62 balls at a strike rate of 129.03, including 11 fours and a six.
The standout performance in Australia’s chase came from Georgia Voll, who produced a commanding innings of 101 not out off 82 balls (SR 123.17), earning Player of the Match honours. Voll’s century was the anchor of the chase; she struck 13 fours and a six, pacing her innings impeccably and sharing a crucial 119-run partnership with Litchfield. This stand effectively decided the contest by the halfway point of the chase.
Support came from Beth Mooney, who scored 31 off 34 balls. Ashleigh Gardner contributed a quick 19 not out off 14 balls late in the innings to keep up the momentum, guiding Australia past the finish line in the 36th over.
On the bowling side for India during the chase, Kashvee Gautam was the most successful, finishing with figures of 2 for 47 in nine overs as she broke key partnerships to slow the scoring at times. Deepti Sharma also impressed with 2 for 32 in her five overs, using accuracy and subtle variation to claim two top-order wickets.
Overall, Australia’s innings was built on calculated aggression and smart batting, with Voll and Litchfield’s partnership at the core of the victory. The result not only secured a series-clinching win in the ODI leg but also strengthened Australia’s position in the overall multi-format contest as both teams prepare for the next fixtures, including the third ODI and the one-off Test in Perth.
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