IND-W look to level the three-match ODI series against AUS-W
On Thursday, India Women posted 282 in 50 overs, which was their highest-ever total against Australia Women in ODIs. Despite having a fighting total to play with, the Indian bowlers, who were not up to the mark, were not able to defend the target. Australia won the first ODI by six wickets with 21 balls to spare.
India Women, who have never won an ODI series against Australia, would look to level the ongoing three-match series as they play the second match on Saturday at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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, Sneh Rana, Harleen Deol
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
Head-to-Head
India and Australia have played 51 ODIs against each other, of which Australia have won 41, whereas India have managed to win just 10. In India too, Australia have dominated with 18 wins in 22 ODIs. Looking at the recent record, Australia have had an upper hand over India with four wins in the last five matches.
| India | Australia | |
| ICC ODI Rankings | 4 | 1 |
| Head-to-Head in ODIs | 10 | 41 |
| In India | 4 | 18 |
| Last 5 ODIs | 1 | 4 |
Players to watch out for
Jemimah Rodrigues: This 23-year-old Mumbai batter top-scored for India Women in the first ODI against Australia Women. Coming into bat when her team was under pressure at 3/57 in the 13th over, this right-handed batter soaked all the pressure like a sponge. She crafted her way to her fifth ODI half-century and ended up accumulating 82 off 77. She smashed seven fours, which is a testament to the risk-free cricket that she played.
Pooja Vastrakar: Batting at number 9, this all-rounder from India packed a punch with an undefeated 62 in the first ODI against Australia. She now holds the record of the highest score by any batter batting at that position in women’s ODIs. She walked out to bat with another 12.2 overs to go. During her stay at the crease, she put together 68 runs for the eighth wicket with Rodrigues. Her aggressive 46-ball knock was embellished with seven fours and two sixes. Besides, she opened the bowling with Renuka Singh Thakur and snapped 1/41 in eight overs.
Tahlia McGrath: The vice-captain of Australia has been enjoying her time in Mumbai. Her back-to-back fifties in the one-off Test match were followed by another half-century in the first ODI against India. This right-handed middle order batter has adjusted to the Mumbai conditions like a duck taken to water. She muscled an unbeaten 68 off 55, striking 11 fours. She came into bat in the 31st over with her team requiring another 113 runs. She batted till the end and powered her team to a comprehensive win. Besides her batting, she is an able right arm medium pace bowler.
Phoebe Litchfield: This Australia’s opening batter won the player of the match award for her brilliant knock of 78 from 89 balls in the first ODI against India. The 20-year-old playing just her 12th ODI looked comfortable against the Indian pace and spin attack. Her innings was laced with eight fours and a six. In the process, she stitched a 148-run partnership with Ellyse Perry for the second wicket after losing her opening partner and Australia captain Alyssa Healy in the first over of the run chase.
Pitch
The venue has seen seven women’s ODIs to date, of which teams batting second have won four. It will host the second match of the three-match ODI series between India Women and Australia Women. The previous match saw more than 550 runs being scored. Expect another high scoring contest as the conditions will be good for batting. Of the 12 wickets that fell in the first ODI, seven were picked by the spinners. Therefore, they could have a role again to play at this venue.
Weather
The weather is expected to be hazy. The maximum temperature attained during the day will be 35 degrees Celsius. There will be 61% cloud cover and no chance of rain. The wind will blow from the south-southeast.
Milestone Alert
Harmanpreet Kaur needs 98 runs to complete 3500 ODI runs
Deepti Sharma needs 67 runs to complete 2000 ODI runs and 6 wickets to complete 100 ODI wickets
Match details
Date: December 30, 2023
Time: 1.30 PM
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Live streaming: Jio Cinema