Voll and Litchfield Power Australia to 2-0 ODI Series Win Over India

Australia registered a dominant five-wicket win over India in the second ODI at Bellerive Oval, sealing the ODI leg of the multi-format series 2-0. Georgia Voll scored a fluent 101 off 82 balls, while Phoebe Litchfield contributed a rapid 80 from 62 deliveries as Australia chased down India’s total of 251 for 9 with 83 balls to spare. Chasing a competitive total, Voll and Litchfield combined for a second-wicket partnership of 119 runs, putting Australia firmly on course for victory. Litchfield provided early impetus, scoring 41 of the team’s 60 runs in the powerplay, and executed aggressive shots over the infield and offside, troubling India’s bowlers. Voll, undeterred after a golden duck in the first ODI, built her innings carefully and reached her second ODI century before being dismissed shortly after. India’s innings featured half-centuries from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (54) and opener Pratika Rawal (52). However, India’s momentum collapsed between the 17th and 31st overs, losing 5 wickets for 52 runs, which prevented them from posting a more challenging total. Key dismissals included Smriti Mandhana, who was clean bowled by Ashleigh Gardner, and Jemimah Rodrigues, dismissed cheaply by Annabel Sutherland after being promoted to No.3. Australia’s bowling was disciplined despite losing Sophie Molineux to a back injury before the match. Annabel Sutherland returned figures of 2 for 37, while spinners Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner also claimed two wickets apiece. Nicola Carey, making her first ODI since the 2022 World Cup as Molineux’s replacement, finished with 1 for 55 in eight overs. The Australian chase was largely untroubled despite a few missed fielding chances. Voll was dropped twice, first on 19 and later on 53, allowing her to consolidate, while Litchfield fell just short of a century when bowled by Kranti Gaud after an ambitious scoop shot. Meanwhile, retiring Australian captain Alyssa Healy fell for 6 in her penultimate ODI, dismissed by a well-directed yorker from Kashvee Gautam, who claimed her first international wicket. With this win, Australia now leads the multi-format series 6-4 on points, with only the ODI finale and a one-off Test in Perth remaining. After a 2-1 T20I series victory, Australia has reaffirmed their strength in the 50-over format, while India struggled to replicate their World Cup-winning form from last year.