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Against the formidable Australian batting lineup, Harmanpreet Kaur-led India continued the momentum they gained after a record win against Australia. Alyssa Healy-led Australia were bowled out for 219, their lowest score in Test format against India. Pooja Vastrakar was the wrecker-in-chief taking four wickets whereas Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma took two wickets each on Day 1 of the one-off Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Later, the quickfire 90-run opening partnership helped India reduce the trail to 121 runs before the end of the day's play.
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After Healy won the toss and opted to bat first, Australia lost two wickets early. First, Phoebe Litchfield was run out after a mid-pitch confusion with Beth Mooney. After Litchfield's diamond duck, Ellyse Perry got bowled by Vastrakar in the next over. Mooney and Tahlia McGrath shared an 80-run partnership to get them back on track. McGrath after reaching her half-century became Rana's first victim of the day. Mooney missed her half-century as she departed for 40. Vastrakar got her wicket.
In the second session, Deepti joined the party as Healy got bowled after scoring 38 runs. Vastrakar got two more wickets in the form of Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner. Sneh got rid of Alana King for a single-digit score as she edged one to wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia. In the third session, Deepti ended Jess Jonassen's stay at the crease. She scored 19 runs from 61 balls. Kim Garth remained unbeaten for 28 as Sneh wrapped up Australia's innings in the 78th over with the wicket of Lauren Cheatle.
219 is Australia’s lowest innings total in the format against India. Their previous lowest was 250 which came in Adelaide in February 2006.
In reply, openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana showed an attacking approach. India breached the fifty-run mark in the eighth over. While every other bowler was smashed all around the park, Gardner bowled three consecutive maiden overs. Left-arm spinner Jonassen broke the opening partnership. Shafali was dismissed lbw. She scored 40 runs from 59 balls including eight fours. Rana joined Mandhana in the middle as nightwatchwoman. Mandhana remained not out for 43 off 49 balls including eight boundaries. India had 98/1 on the board from 19 overs, trailing by 121 runs.
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