Trisha Ghosal in Mullanpur
Every time India Women face Australia and come up short, the comments sections of live shows are flooded with one question: Why can’t India beat them? The answer, in large part, lies in mindset and on-field attitude.
Bright start, quick adjustment
At Mullanpur yesterday, where the sun came and went but the heat and humidity remained punishing, the conditions were tough even for players used to the Indian climate. Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and chose to bat first. The Australians, however, charged onto the field with energy.
India began well. Off the fourth ball of the fifth over, Megan Schutt tested Pratika Rawal with a bouncer that struck her helmet. Immediately Alyssa Healy rushed over to Ellyse Perry at point for a quick discussion. The field was reshuffled: Beth Mooney moved to a close gully, while tempting gaps were left at extra-cover and cover. As expected, Pratika attempted two back-foot punches, the second nearly carrying to gully. It was a small but telling example of how quickly Australia adjust.
Australia regroup, India drift
That attitude means you can never keep them out of the game for long. Even when India were cruising at 75/0 after 13 overs, Australia regrouped at the drinks break. Asked later about the conversation, Phoebe Litchfield revealed: “We felt there was nothing wrong with our bowling but the wicket wasn’t helping. So we decided to keep it simple and not give easy runs.” The discipline showed.
In contrast, when Perry and Litchfield began building a partnership in Australia’s chase, India’s shoulders dropped, irritation showed on Harmanpreet’s face, and the fielders looked lost. The difference was stark.
Fielding makes the difference
Right until the final ball of India’s innings, the Australians hunted relentlessly. Richa Ghosh’s attempted six off Schutt, caught by Ashleigh Gardner at deep mid-wicket, underlined that intensity. Gardner had initially misjudged the ball, but kept her eyes on it till the last moment and completed the catch. Similarly, Litchfield’s sharp work to run out Smriti Mandhana and Gardner’s safe hands with Richa’s dismissal kept India to 281.
India’s fielding response told its own story. A chance went down in just the second over of Australia’s innings. From there, the energy levels nosedived.
The mindset gap
The Australians are wired differently: always charged up, always tuned in, and always searching for ways to turn the game. Their belief is simple – the match can be won from any situation if we regroup and adapt. India, by contrast, still struggle to internalise that mindset. Once a game drifts away, they appear to leave it to chance.
If India are serious about lifting the World Cup, a mindset shift is non-negotiable.
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