In a bid to bounce back from their first ODI loss, India Women put up a fighting total of 251/9 in the second match of the three-game series against Australia. Opener Pratika Rawal and captain Harmanpreet Kaur smashed crucial half centuries, giving their team a strong platform on a tricky pitch.
India won the toss and elected to bat first at the iconic venue in Australia. What started as a shaky innings turned into a gritty recovery, thanks to the senior pros stepping up. This performance matters right now as the series hangs in balance—Australia leads 1-0, and a win here for the visitors could spark a comeback in women's cricket's high-stakes rivalry.
Pratika Rawal Harmanpreet Kaur Half Centuries Steal the Show
Pratika Rawal, the young opener, anchored the top order with a composed 52 off 78 balls, including elegant drives and quick singles. Her partnership with Smriti Mandhana (31) laid the foundation before early wickets fell.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then took charge, blasting 51 off 62 deliveries with her signature power-hitting. The duo's half centuries revived India from 100/4 to a defendable 251/9. "We needed this momentum," Harmanpreet said post-innings, emphasizing team resilience.
Key contributions came from:
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Richa Ghosh: Quickfire 22 with boundaries.
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Kashvee Gautam: Handy 25 in the middle order.
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Deepti Sharma: Struggled with just 1 run, but her all-round skills could shine later.
This total reflects India's growing depth in ODIs, especially after recent T20 successes.
Australia Bowlers Fight Back: Ashleigh Gardner Wickets Lead Restriction
Australia's bowlers hit back hard despite the runs. Spinner Ashleigh Gardner grabbed 2 wickets, including a vital top-order scalp. Leg-spinner Alana King and pacer Annabel Sutherland also claimed 2 wickets each, breaking partnerships at crucial junctures.
Gardner's crafty variations and Sutherland's pace troubled the lower order, restricting India under 260. Australia now chase 252 to seal a 2-0 series lead on home soil—a massive boost ahead of the World Cup cycle.
Why This Matters for India Women vs Australia 2nd ODI Fans
With bilateral series heating up global women's cricket, this match highlights India's batting maturity. Pratika Rawal's emergence adds excitement for young talents, while Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership inspires. Australia eyes dominance, but India's bowlers—led by Deepti and Shree Charani—could turn the chase.
Tune in as Australia bats. Will they chase it down, or will India defend? A series-leveler would electrify fans back home.
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