In a commanding display, Australia clinched the second women’s ODI by 5 wickets against India in Hobart, sealing the series with a match to spare. The defeat has left captain Harmanpreet Kaur reflective, as she attributed the loss primarily to subpar batting efforts from her team.
Electing to bat on a improved surface, India aimed big but faltered badly. The innings, plagued by untimely dismissals, ended at 251/9. Harmanpreet led from the front again, smashing 54 off 70 deliveries for her second successive fifty, but it wasn’t enough to inspire the lineup.
‘We planned to cross 300 runs today,’ Harmanpreet admitted candidly. ‘The pitch was better than the last one, but we kept losing wickets at crucial junctures. That’s why we couldn’t set a defendable score.’ Pratika Rawal’s 52 off 81 provided some stability, complemented by Mandhana’s 31 and Gautam’s 25, yet the team struggled to accelerate.
Sutherland and King starred with the ball for Australia, each claiming two wickets economically. In reply, Voll’s century (101) and Litchfield’s 80 formed a destructive partnership of 119 runs for the second wicket. Mooney’s 31 ensured a smooth chase, wrapping up the target with ample overs remaining.
The series decider on Sunday offers India a chance for pride, but Harmanpreet stressed the urgency for batting improvements. ‘Our batters have underperformed in both matches, costing us dearly,’ she noted. ‘They must show accountability next time.’
As Australia dominates, India’s women face questions on rebuilding momentum ahead of future challenges.