India A Women secured a four-wicket victory over Australia A Women in the first unofficial ODI at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. A resilient middle-order stand between Tejal Hasabnis and Anushka Sharma allowed the hosts to chase down 236 with 53 balls remaining.
India A’s chase started poorly as the top order collapsed to 46/3. Priya Punia, Tanisha Singh, and captain Yastika Bhatia were dismissed early, leaving the middle order to navigate a disciplined Australian bowling attack. The match turned during a 126-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Hasabnis led the charge, scoring 81 off 82 balls, an innings punctuated by five boundaries and six sixes.
Anushka Sharma offered steady support, contributing 55 runs off 61 deliveries to stabilize the innings. While both set batters eventually fell, Nikki Prasad ensured the chase reached its conclusion. Prasad, who had already influenced the game with the ball, remained unbeaten on 32 as India A finished on 239/6 in 41.1 overs.
Earlier, Australia A were dismissed for 235 in 46.3 overs. Captain Tahlia Wilson top-scored for the visitors with 48, but the lineup struggled to build sustained momentum against consistent pressure from the Indian bowlers. Nikki Prasad was the most effective bowler for the hosts, taking 3 for 28 to restrict the Australian middle and lower order.
This result follows India A’s 0-3 loss in the preceding T20 series. The shift to the 50-over format saw improved composure in the batting ranks and efficient use of spin resources, with Vaishnavi Sharma and Amandeep Kaur maintaining control through the middle overs.
The series continues at the PCA Stadium in Mohali for the final two fixtures. Australia A will aim to level the series in the second ODI scheduled for September 23, with the final match set for September 25.
