Following a compelling One-Off Test that concluded with India’s historic win over visitors Australia, it’s now time for the white-ball fixtures. The 1st of the 3 One-Day Internationals will be staged at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on the 28th of December, 2023, at 1:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
India – Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Richa Ghosh (WK), Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Mannat Kashyap, Saika Ishaque, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, Harleen Deol
Australia – Alyssa Healy (C), Tahlia McGrath (VC), Darcie Brown, Heather Graham, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
Players to watch out:
Smriti Mandhana
The 27-year-old opening batter, averaging 42.95, has amassed 3179 runs from 80 ODI outings and registered the highest of 135. Fresh off over 100 runs in aggregate from the One-Off Test, Smriti has been striking the ball well, and her runs will prove vital for India as they’ll aim to post a mammoth total to take the series lead.
Pooja Vastrakar
The 24-year-old all-rounder, in 27 ODI appearances, has scalped 20 wickets at an economy rate of 5.43 and added 470 runs to the tally, registering respective bests of 4/34 and 67. Pooja has been effective with the ball, scalping key wickets, while also consistently contributing with the bat. It’ll be hoped she continues this momentum.
Alyssa Healy
The 33-year-old keeper-batter, in 89 ODI outings, averaging 35.39 has racked up 2761 runs, including the best of 170. On return from injury, Alyssa has looked in sublime touch, registering scores of 38 and 32 in the One-Off Test. It’ll be expected of her to convert these scores and make the most of this form.
Georgia Wareham
The 24-year-old leg-spinner, in 29 ODI outings, has picked up 34 wickets, with the best being 3/33, maintaining an economy rate of 4.19. Georgia was benched for the One-Off Test, and she will be trusted to excel with the ball on favorable surfaces, but she’ll also be relied upon for handy runs.
Pitch:
The 22 yards at Wankhede Stadium provide a somewhat neutral playing field, but the conditions are advantageous to bowlers over batters. Pacers in particular benefit from the conditions, and a score in the 240s can be deemed a competitive one on this wicket.
Weather:
With sunny skies, the conditions are expected to be bright and pleasant for cricket, promising a complete game. The temperature will be around 32°C, with light winds and a humidity level of 43%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Phoebe Litchfield, Ashleigh Gardner, Deepti Sharma, Tahlia McGrath, Pooja Vastrakar, Georgia Wareham, Renuka Singh Thakur
Match details:
Date – December 28, 2023
Time – 1:30 PM IST
Venue – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Jio Cinema and telecasted on DD Sports and Sports18.
Loves all things female cricket