The much-awaited India Women vs Australia Women ODI series kicks off on December 5, 2024, in Brisbane, with India set to face a stern test against the mighty Australians. This three-match series is not only an opportunity to challenge one of the top-ranked teams in women’s cricket but also a chance for India to fine-tune their squad ahead of the highly anticipated Women’s World Cup 2025.
India’s Batting Inconsistency to Face Tough Challenge
India’s journey to Australia follows a hard-fought 2-1 home series win against New Zealand, but their batting has been inconsistent. While they secured victories, the lack of solid starts and middle-order collapses have been concerning. The Indian team has decided to make a significant change, dropping Shafali Verma, who has struggled for form recently. This change highlights the team’s desire to experiment and settle on a winning combination before next year’s World Cup.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and coach Amol Majumdar are well aware of the formidable challenge that lies ahead against Australia, a team that has historically dominated India in ODI cricket. The Australians have won most of their encounters with India, including a 2-1 series win in 2021, and their record against India on home soil is particularly strong, with Australia securing 12 victories out of 16 encounters.
Key Players for India in the Series
India’s batting line-up will rely heavily on Smriti Mandhana, who has been in excellent form this year, averaging around 75 in her last six ODIs. Her ability to anchor the innings will be crucial for India, especially with an inexperienced opening partner. However, much of the focus will be on the form of Harmanpreet Kaur, whose captaincy and batting have been under scrutiny after a series of disappointing performances, including a failure to score in double figures in their last series against Australia.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma are also expected to play pivotal roles. Rodrigues, known for her consistency, and Sharma, an all-rounder with both bat and ball, will be key to India’s success. Richa Ghosh, returning to the squad, will be an exciting player to watch, especially as she adds depth to the lower order.
India will also miss Yastika Bhatia, who has been ruled out of the series due to a wrist injury. In her place, Uma Chetry makes her debut, and this will be a golden opportunity for the young wicketkeeper-batter to prove her mettle on the big stage.
Australia’s Strengths and Challenges
Despite missing their regular skipper Alyssa Healy, who is sidelined with a knee injury, Australia remains a formidable opponent. Under the leadership of Tahlia McGrath, who is captaining the national side for the first time in a full series, Australia will be looking to shake off the rust. They haven’t played an ODI since March 2024, and with key players like Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney, they remain a powerhouse in women’s cricket.
Perry, who is just 42 runs away from 4,000 career ODI runs, will be keen to achieve this milestone, and her experience will be vital. Georgia Voll, making her debut in place of Healy, will be another player to keep an eye on.
Conditions and Expectations
The weather in Brisbane is expected to be hot and humid, with occasional showers possible. These conditions could add an extra layer of challenge to both teams as they battle not just the opposition but also the elements. India will need to adapt quickly to these playing conditions to be successful.
Conclusion
The India Women vs Australia Women ODI series starting December 5 will be a crucial step in India’s preparations for the 2025 Women’s World Cup. With their batting order under scrutiny and Australia presenting a tough challenge, India’s performance will be a significant indicator of their readiness for the bigger stage ahead.
Fans from both nations are expected to pack the stadium, bringing an electric atmosphere as both teams vie for dominance in this exciting series.
Squads
India Women: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Uma Chetry, Richa Ghosh (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Saima Thakor.
Australia Women: Tahlia McGrath (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Darcie Brown, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
The match starts at 8:50 AM IST on December 5.
