India Women face Australia in Brisbane 1st ODI as Alyssa Healy begins farewell tour.
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India Women vs Australia
Can you truly call yourself a World Champion if you’ve never conquered the most successful fortress in cricket history?
On a humid Tuesday morning in Brisbane, the Indian Women’s team stepped onto the Allan Border Field not just as players, but as reigning World Cup champions. They carry a 4-2 lead in this multi-format series, yet they are walking into a lion’s den.
Australia has won 20 consecutive ODIs at this venue. For the Aussies, this isn’t just a game; it is the beginning of a long goodbye for their legendary captain, Alyssa Healy.
The stakes are suffocating. While India eyes a historic first-ever ODI series win on Australian soil, the hosts are fighting to protect their legacy amidst a sudden injury crisis.
The Aussie “Quad” Crisis
Minutes before the toss, the air went out of the Australian camp. Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth—two pillars of the green and gold—were ruled out with quad strains. It is a brutal blow.
- The Schutt Factor: Legend Megan Schutt returns to the fold, and she didn’t waste time. She trapped Pratika Rawal for a duck on the second ball of the game, proving that experience often trumps momentum.
- The Keeper Swap: In a major tactical shift, Beth Mooney has taken the gloves full-time, allowing Healy to focus entirely on her captaincy and her final farewell at the top of the order.
India’s Strategic Gamble
India has opted to bat first under overcast skies. It is a bold move in muggy Brisbane conditions where the ball tends to talk early.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has reshuffled the deck, bringing Pratika Rawal back into the opening slot and pushing the explosive Shafali Verma to Number 3.
Why this matters:
- Rawal’s Redemption: After injuries nearly ended her World Cup, her presence at the top is a massive emotional boost.
- The New Gen All-rounder: Kashvee Gautam, the WPL standout, adds a layer of bowling depth India has lacked in previous Australian tours.
The Allan Border Field Paradox
Everyone talks about the “Gabba bounce,” but the Allan Border Field is its own beast. The humidity today is thick.
The Hidden Dynamics:
- Swing vs. Spin: Early on, the ball will move violently (as Rawal found out). However, as the sun peaks through, the track often flattens, making the middle overs a graveyard for bowlers who lack variation.
- Scoreboard Pressure: Chasing here is notoriously difficult because of the ground’s unique dimensions. India’s decision to bat first is a high-risk, high-reward play to set a target Australia can’t swallow.
Don’t Chase the “T20 Intent”
The biggest mistake India can make today is playing like they are still in the T20 series they just won.
What people get wrong about Brisbane ODIs:
- The First 15 Are for Survival: On this pitch, a score of 40/1 after 15 overs is better than 80/4. If India’s middle order—Harmanpreet and Jemimah—enters the fray too early, the match is over by lunch.
- Respect the V: Most batters try to play across the line to counter the swing. The smart play? Play exceptionally straight until the ball loses its shine.
The Historical Hurdle
India has never won an ODI series against Australia. They have the trophy, they have the T20 momentum, and they have the lead. But to win today, they must survive the “Healy Farewell” energy and the most dominant home record in the sport.