After showing exceptionally brilliant performance at the South Africa tour, the Women in Blue have yet again tied up their shoes and are ready to take on one of the best teams in Women Cricket i. e. Australia in the upcoming home series.
Yes friends…!!! You will be delighted to know that India Women are going to play a three match ODI series against Australia. Starting from 12th March, all the matches will be played at Vadodara.
After winning both the ODI and T20 series against South Africa, Indians are on all time high and would like to continue their current form. Another thing that is surely going to add up to their confidence is that they have successfully conquered the foreign pitches of SA and will get the “home advantage” in this series.
Also, all these three matches are a part of ICC Women’s Championship, thus adding up to the importance of the series for both the teams especially for India.
If we have a look at the past records of ODI matches between these two teams, a total of sixteen (16) ODIs have been played and in addition to this, one match was abondoned. Twelve games have been won by Australia while India have managed to win only on four occations.
Another interesting fact is that after December 1997, India-Australia played in February 2016 after a gap of more than 18 years. Also, it was in February 2016, that the current Indian squad faced the present Australian team.
As far as this series is concerned, the squads of both the teams have already been announced and are as follows –
India Women – Mithali Raj (captain), Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Harmanpreet Kaur (vice captain), Veda Krishnamurthy, Smriti Mandhana, Mona Meshram, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Punam Raut, Jemimah Rodrigues, Sushma Verma (wicketkeeper), Pooja Vastrakar, Sukanya Parida, Deepti Sharma
Australia Women – Meg Lanning (captain), Rachael Haynes (vice captain), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington
Now, let us have a look on the key players of this series:-
1. Indian skipper Mithali Raj – We all are well aware of the acheivements of this legendary player. But do you know that Raj has been brilliant against Australia ever since she started playing international cricket! Time and again, she has played brilliant innings against Aussies and once more we are looking forward to see some greats knocks from the player.
2. Shikha Pandey – If we have to select one bowler who has the ability to keep bothering Australian batting line-up, it would be surely “Pandey ji”. Against Australia, Shikha is the only bowler who has the economy rate below 3 runs per over amongst the entire bowling department.
3. Run-machine Harmanpreet Kaur – We all remember the gigantic 171* WWC innings of this player, which has been imprinted in our minds forever. Harman!!! We want moreee!!!!! All eyes on you…..
In-form Smriti Mandhana, opener Punam Raut and youngster Jemimah Rodrigues are other players who can be the game changers for Indian squad.
As far as Australia Women is concerned, two (2) players have brilliant record against India. namely,
1. Captain Meg Lanning
2. All -rounder Ellyse Perry
Other players to watch out are Ashleigh Gardner, Elyse Villani, Megan Schutt and Alyssa Healy.
Star Sports to Telecast India Women vs Australia Women ODI Series also the Tri Series involving India, Australia and England.
ODIs: March 12, 15 & 18 ✔Tri Series: Mar 22nd to 31st ✔
Based on all of the above stated information, we can hope to have a very interesting series between two of the most cricketing nations of the world.
With this, we wish all the very best to the Indian contingent, to continue their winning spree and creating new records.
‘Gully’ cricket player and close observer of Indian Cricket team and it’s matches. Straight forward and still socially admirable personality. Strong belief in teamwork and possess high leadership skills.