After India trumped their hosts 2-1 in the T20 series, Australia hit back with a comprehensive six-wicket win in the opener of the 50-over series in Brisbane.
Gardner rated that display in Brisbane as "kind of a perfect performance", and hopes for a repeat in game two in Hobart on Saturday.
"We have played some good cricket along the way and have played some not-so good cricket in patches as well," Gardner told reporters in Hobart on Friday.
"So being able for us to string that together, I felt like that last game was kind of a perfect performance.
"I thought the bowlers really set the tone and then we chased down that total pretty convincingly."
Australia's bowlers restricted India to 4-217 from 50 overs in Brisbane, with Gardner taking 3-33.
The hosts made light work of the chase with Beth Mooney (76), Alyssa Healy (50) and Annabel Sutherland (48no) dominant in reaching their target with 84 balls to spare.
Gardner believed Australia's focus on themselves, rather than the strengths of India, was vital in delivering victory.
"What we did really well was just focus on ourselves and make sure to keep our game plan really simple - adapt when it was necessary," she said.
"And that's obviously what we're going to have to do tomorrow as well, making sure we're adapting to whatever is in front of us.
"The other day, bowling first was probably what we wanted to do and it (batting) was pretty challenging early, in both innings those first 10 overs were going to be the most challenging.
"We know they (India) want to take the game on ... just being able to adapt, full stop, is our mode going forward."
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