Dropped Catches Cost India as Voll and Litchfield Power Australia to Series Lead
MUMBAI – A dominant batting display from Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield, aided by a lackluster Indian fielding performance, saw Australia Women defeat India Women by five wickets in the second ODI on Friday. The victory gives Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series and a 6-4 advantage in the multi-format points tally with one ODI and a Test match remaining.
Australian Top Order Dismantles Target
Chasing a target of 252, Australia reached the total comfortably with 13.5 overs to spare. Despite losing opener Alyssa Healy (6) early to an inswinger from Kashvee Gautam, the visitors seized control through a commanding second-wicket partnership.
Georgia Voll was the star of the innings, scoring a rapid 101 off 82 balls. Her knock included 13 boundaries and a six. She found an able partner in Phoebe Litchfield, who struck 80 off just 62 deliveries, finding the fence 11 times and clearing it once. The duo added 119 runs, dismantling the Indian attack and rendering the required run rate negligible.
Litchfield eventually fell to a fielder while attempting a ramp shot, with the ball crashing into the top of the middle stump. Although India managed to pick up two late wickets, the damage had already been inflicted.
India Rues Missed Opportunities
India’s defeat was compounded by severe lapses in the field. Voll was handed three separate lifelines during her innings:
- On 19: Dropped at long-on off the bowling of Deepti Sharma.
- Later: Smriti Mandhana dropped a chance at deep mid-wicket off Gautam.
- Century Moment: Richa Ghosh missed a catch down the leg side, allowing Voll to complete her hundred with a single.
Harmanpreet and Rawal Anchor India’s Total
Earlier in the day, India posted 251/9 after being put in to bat. The innings was stabilized by half-centuries from opener Pratika Rawal (52) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (54).
Rawal navigated a tricky opening phase, facing 81 balls and hitting six boundaries. She shared a 78-run opening stand with Smriti Mandhana (31). Mandhana looked solid before missing a paddle sweep to be bowled by Ashleigh Gardner (2/39), having survived two earlier chances.
The middle order struggled to capitalize on the platform. Jemimah Rodrigues (11) was caught behind off Annabel Sutherland (2/37), and Deepti Sharma (1) fell to Alana King (2/41) at deep mid-wicket. King also trapped Richa Ghosh lbw for 22.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the lower-middle order with a composed 70-ball 54. Her 55-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Kashvee Gautam (25) was crucial in pushing India past the 200-run mark, ensuring a competitive, albeit insufficient, total.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Top Performers |
|---|---|---|
| India Women | 251/9 (50 overs) | Harmanpreet Kaur 54 (70), Pratika Rawal 52 (81) Ashleigh Gardner 2/39 |
| Australia Women | 252/5 (36.1 overs) | Georgia Voll 101 (82), Phoebe Litchfield 80 (62) Kashvee Gautam 1/Wkt |
The third and final ODI will be played on Sunday at the same venue.
Related Resources: