A sloppy performance in the field from India proved costly as Australia took an unassailable 2-0 series lead thanks to a three-run victory in the second ODI in Mumbai.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat but it could have been a decision that backfired had India been more clinical.
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The host nation dropped an alarming seven catches throughout Australia’s innings in a rather dismal day in the field.
Aside from the dropped catches, there was also a worrying moment when India’s Sneh Rana was forced to leave the field after colliding with her teammate Pooja Vastrakar as they both went for the same ball.
The Aussies were a wicket down after 40 runs when skipper Alyssa Healy was bowled by Vastrakar for just 13 runs, but Ellyse Perry and opener Phoebe Litchfield ensured India would not strike twice in quick succession.
Perry notched her half century before she departed, while Beth Mooney exited for just 10 runs.
Litchfield’s impressive innings was brought to an end when she was caught behind for 63 to leave Australia 4/160, requiring Australia’s middle order had to fire to set a defendable target.
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Although Ash Gardner got out for two, the Aussies did well to rack up the extra runs as Alana King even blasted three sixes en route to a final total 8/258.
The Australian bowling effort started well and had India 2/71 after 15 overs, but India’s Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues quickly swung the contest in their favour.
However, their stunning partnership of 88 came to a shuddering halt thanks to an absurd diving catch from Litchfield to send Rodrigues on her way for 44.
Ghosh continued to be a dangerous presence at the crease and looked on track for a century, only for Litchfield to quash those hopes when she caught the Indian star for 96.
Although India were within sight of the finish line thanks to Ghosh’s exploits, some excellent bowling at the death courtesy of Annabel Sutherland proved vital.
Sutherland, who also took the wicket of Ghosh, conceded just three singles as well as sending Pooja Vastrakar on her way in the 47th over.
In the end it was Australia who held its nerve to record a thrilling three-run victory as India finished 8/255 after 50 overs.
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