AUS-W level the T20I series 1-1; Will they spoil IND-W’s party again?
After India Women won the first of the three T20Is on Friday by nine wickets, the expectations that the team would win their first T20I series against Australia Women since 2016 were high. However, Australia defeated India in the second T20I on Sunday by six wickets and levelled the series to dent Women in Blue’s hopes of clinching the series.
With everything to play for in the third and the final T20I, which will be a series decider, expect plenty of fireworks on Tuesday at Dr D Y Patil Sports Academy as India and Australia lock horns against each other for one final time in this multi-format affair.
Head-to-Head
India and Australia have played 33 T20Is against each other. Australia has had an upper hand over India with 24 wins. In India, the numbers are in Australia’s favour as they have won 11 out of the 14 T20Is.The results in last five T20Is too have gone Australia’s way with them winning four matches.
| India | Australia | |
| ICC T20I Rankings | 3 | 1 |
| Head-to-Head in T20Is | 8 | 24 |
| In India | 3 | 11 |
| Last 5 T20Is | 1 | 4 |
Squads
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Richa Ghosh (wicket-keeper), Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Mannat Kashyap, Saika Ishaque, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Pooja Vastrakar, Kanika Ahuja, Minnu Mani
Australia: Alyssa Healy (captain and wicket-keeper), Tahlia McGrath (vice-captain), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney (wicket-keeper), Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Grace Harris
Players to watch out for
Deepti Sharma: This Indian all-rounder made valuable contributions with bat and ball in the second T20I against Australia. However, her effort went in vain as India lost the match by six wickets and one over to spare. Batting at number six, this left-handed batter scored 30 runs off 27 balls and in the meanwhile completed 1000 T20I runs. With the ball, she claimed 2/22 in four overs, striking on the first ball of her first and second overs of the spell.
Richa Ghosh: This wicket-keeper-batter of India looked promising in the second T20I against Australia when she muscled 23 runs off 19 balls, including two fours and a huge six. She played some good-looking shots during her stay at the crease which stretched from eighth to 15th over. Behind the stumps, she accounted for three dismissals, including two catches and one stumping.
Kim Garth: Having missed out on playing the first T20I against India, this right-arm medium pace bowler of Australia made the most of the opportunity that she was given in the second T20I. Sharing the new ball with Megan Schutt, she bowled well inside the powerplay. She varied her pace beautifully and scalped two wickets in her first two overs of the spell putting India on the backfoot. She bagged the player of the match award for her brilliant bowling effort.
Ellyse Perry: Playing her 300th international match, this 33-year-old Australian all-rounder finished off the second T20I against India in style with a scintillating six. She top-scored with an unbeaten 34 off 21. Her innings was laced with three fours and two sixes. Earlier in the day, she held two catches. She had a great day with the bat and on the field making this milestone match more special.
Pitch
The venue will host the fifth women’s T20I (and third of this ongoing series). The teams batting second have won the four matches (including one tie that was decided by Super Over) played here. The conditions will be good for batting all throughout the game. Unlike what was expected, dew did not play a significant role in the previous match as the outfield was nice and dry. Therefore, the captain losing the toss and bowling second should not be much worried. The bowlers, who vary their pace on this batting-friendly track, will be in business.
Weather
The weather is expected to be clear and warm. The maximum temperature attained in the evening will be 27 degrees Celsius. There will be 14% cloud cover and no chance of rain. The wind will blow from the south.
Milestone Alert
- Alyssa Healy will play her 150th T20I
- Jemimah Rodrigues needs 58 runs to complete 2000 T20I runs
- Jess Jonassen needs 4 wickets to complete 100 T20I wickets
- Georgia Wareham needs 3 wickets to complete 50 T20I wickets
Match details
Date: January 9, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Venue: Dr D Y Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
Live streaming: Jio Cinema