The multi-format series between India and Australia has garnered tremendous attention from fans, analysts, experts, and former players. This is India’s second multi-format series of the year as they toured England in June-July and now are in Australia to play ODIs, Test, and T20Is.
Two-thirds of this multi-format series is done and dusted, with just three T20Is to go. Australia lead by 6 points to India’s 4, having won the ODI series 2-1 and drawn the one-off Test. Though Australia clinched the ODI series, the last two ODIs were nail-biting thrillers as they went all the way down the wire. With everything to play for in the upcoming three-match T20I series, both teams will be looking to put their best foot forward.
The India-Australia series started on September 21. Given that there were some exciting contests right through the series, it did not fail to generate a lot of interest. Last week, it was recorded that there was a whopping 426% surge in Google searches for women’s IPL. Add to this, the fact that seven Indian players are signed to play the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia, and the need to have a women’s IPL soon would be stronger.
426% is something. #WomensIPL #IPL2021 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/e4dzGHC8HO
— Vishal Yadav (@vishalyadavgcc) October 3, 2021
Playing against Australia on their home soil is by no means an easy task and with India’s stellar performance so far, it can be truly said the India eves have well and truly arrived Down Under. Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jhulan Goswami, Pooja Vastrakar, and Deepti Sharma have been some of the top performers for India, while the debutants Yastika Bhatia and Meghna Singh have shown their class with bat and ball respectively.
Four matches, including three ODIs and one Test, have been played so far. Smriti Mandhana has been the top run-getter in the one-off Test with 158 runs, including a scintillating century. Her opening partner Shafali Verma follows her and is the second-highest run-getter in the longest format with 83 runs, including one half-century.
Similarly, in the bowling department, the Indian pace duo of Pooja Vastrakar and Jhulan Goswami have been the leaders of the pack with four and three wickets respectively. In the ODI format, Mandhana and Goswami have been the leading performers for India. Mandhana ranks second with 124 runs and Goswami ranks third with four wickets.
INDIA NEEDS WOMEN’S IPL!
INDIA NEEDS WOMEN’S IPL!
INDIA NEEDS WOMEN’S IPL!#WomensIPL #AUSvIND— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 26, 2021
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.