"India have got superstars, always hard-fought," Tahlia McGrath on India's Challenge

Australia’s stand-in skipper Tahlia McGrath addressed the media ahead of the three-match ODI series against India which commences on December 5 at the Brisbane.

The three-match ODI series between both sides is part of the ICC ODI Championship with Australia at the top of the table with 13 wins while India has 12 wins at number three. Both sides have sought their qualification for the 2025 Cricket World Cup which will be held in India.

Australia’s regular skipper Alyssa Healy hurt her foot during the 2024 T20 World Cup and is recovering from the knee injury she suffered during the recently concluded WBBL. Following Healy’s injury, Australian all-rounder Tahlia McGrath was announced as their captain for the ODI series against India.

McGrath emphasized the shift in format from T20 cricket to the One Day format but that hasn’t required a significant change in the mindset as they come off the back of the 2024 T20 World Cup which was later followed by a demanding WBBL season.

“We’ve played a lot of T20 cricket, (but) not too much changes,” she noted.

Tahlia McGrath has captained Australia in one ODI & two T20Is, with the two T20Is most recently at the 2024 T20 World cup. Her experience leading the Adelaide Strikers over the years showcases her leadership ability but the three-match ODI series against India presents a new challenge for the South Australian, as it marks her first opportunity to lead Australia in an entire series with the responsibility being amplified against a formidable Indian side.

When reflecting on her leadership approach, McGrath described her captaincy style as a ‘Quieter leader’ preferring to lead by example. “I’m more of a quieter leader; lead from the front, small conversations, and I think my biggest strength in leadership is my calmness” she added.

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The Australian all-rounder further acknowledged the quality of the Indian team as she described them as a unit filled with ‘Superstars’. She admitted India’s ability to seize on crunch situations & anticipates significant support from the India crowd despite the matches being played in Australia.

McGrath stated, “India have got superstars, always hard-fought and crucial key moments in every game, and while we’re at home we’re expecting a lot of India support.”

Following Healy’s injury, Australia named Georgia Voll to the 13-player squad who could potentially be seen opening the innings alongside Beth Mooney during the ODI series.

The 21-year-old had an impressive WBBL, representing Brisbane Heat scoring 330 runs in 12 matches and an impressive form in the WNCL representing Queensland which saw the right-handed batter scoring 459 runs in 13 matches in the 2023/24 season which led to her maiden national call-up.

Georgia Voll, who replaced Healy in the squad, had high praises from Tahlia McGrath. “It’s been a while since we had a fresh face in the side. She’s (Voll) been knocking the door for a while and she’s more than ready to compete at this level,” McGrath said.

After a long stretch dominated by the shorter format of the game, McGrath highlighted the excitement within the Australian unit with the return of the ODI format, a format that Australia has enjoyed playing & dominated over the years having clinched 7 titles in the 50-over World Cup. The hosts also have dominated in the ongoing ODI championship Cycle having won 13 out of the 18 games played.

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“We’re really excited to get back out there in a format that we’re really successful in and really excited to get out in home conditions as well,” she added.

McGrath concluded by emphasizing Australia’s goal of triumphing the World Cup glory and stated the journey to defend the title starts with the upcoming series against India.

“We want to win that World Cup, it starts tomorrow,” McGrath concluded.

Australia v India ODI Series Squads:

Australia women’s cricket team:

Tahlia McGrath (c), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Georgia Voll

India women’s cricket team:

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Uma Chetry (WK), Richa Ghosh (WK), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Saima Thakor