Pooja Vastrakar's half-century and wicketkeeper-batsman Sushma Verma's 41 couldn't ensure India women a victory in the first ODI of the three-match series as Australia sealed the match by eight wickets in Vadodara on Monday.
Coming in to bat first, India struggled to put up a below par score of 200.
It was lower order batsman Vastrakar's half-century and Verma's 41 that helped the hosts set a target of 201 for the Australian eves.
The Australians faced no such problem with the bat as they lost just two wickets in the process to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Bolton was awarded Player of the Match for her match-winning knock.
Alyssa Healy scored 38, while skipper Meg Lanning hit 33. Ellyse Perry remained unbeaten on 25.
Indian pacer Shikha Pandey claimed a wicket while Australian spinner finished with a four-wicket haul.
The three-match series will be followed by a T20 tri-series, with the third team being England.
(With ANI inputs)
