After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Australia were able to restrict India to 9-233.
Echuca-Moama product Murphy was heavily influential with the ball, taking team best figures of 2-40 from his 10 overs.
His wickets included the prize scalp on Indian danger man Tilak Varma for just two.
When Murphy caught Siddhesh Veer from the bowling of Corey Kelly, India were left reeling at 6-144 and a total well below 200 appeared to be on the cards.
But a 61-run seventh wicket stand proved pivotal in helping the defending champions reach their total.
In response, Australia could not have got off to a worse possible start losing 3-4 in the first over.
The devastating opening saw in-form batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk removed for a diamond duck, Mackenzie Harvey dismissed for four and Lachlan Hearne return to the pavilion for a golden duck.
Opener Sam Fanning continued to battle as the wickets fell around him, scoring 75 runs from 127 balls before he was eventually dismissed.
Unfortunately for Australia, Connor Sully and Murphy were unable to repeat their late order heroics from the pool game against England as they were dismissed for five and zero respectively.
Other cricket stories
Curveballs highlight GMC round 12 action
Cricketing mates gather to honour two Matts