Despite a rough build-up, the Indian women’s cricket team is eager to give Australia a run for their money in the five-match T20 rubber.
With two months to go until the T20 World Cup in South Africa, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side should also know exactly where they stand. Former Indian batter Hrishikesh Kanitkar is now the designated batting coach, replacing Ramesh Powar as head coach. India won the Asia Cup in October but experimented a little too much, which cost them a league game against Pakistan.
INDIA 🇮🇳 vs AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺
Both captains pose with the T20I Trophy 🏆 ahead of the series opener in Mumbai 🏟️#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @ImHarmanpreet | @ahealy77 | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/X12o3poypK
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 8, 2022
Indian cricketers have competed against mighty Australian teams but didn’t win. India threw the Commonwealth Games final away last August after Harmanpreet’s blinder in the run chase.
There’s a settled look to the batting lineup, with star batter Smriti Mandhana expected to score most of the runs. In the U-19 World Cup next month, Shafali Verma, a short ball specialist, will be put under pressure by the Australian pacers. Since returning to the national side, Jemimah Rodrigues has shown good form. Harmanpreet, too has been consistent. Harleen Deol and Yastika Bhatia had a great run in the Challenger Trophy.
Devika Vaidya, an all-rounder who bowls leg-spin, is back on the T20 side after eight years, adding variety to an attack full of left-armers and offices. Renuka Thakur has been the team’s standout pacer in the past six months, and Anjali Sarvani, an uncapped left-arm, will hopefully support her.
In Meg Lanning’s absence, Australia will be led by Alyssa Healy, who also has fresh faces.
It’s high expectations for 19-year-old batter Phoebe Litchfield, who’s supposed to fill Rachael Haynes’ shoes. While playing in the WBBL last year, the southpaw spent a lot of time with Mandhana. Ex-Ireland pacer Kim Garth and Heather Graham will also make their Australia debuts. Due to an indefinite break from playing, Lanning won’t be joining the tour.
Australia squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland.
India squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur, Meghna Singh, Anjali Sarvani, Devika Vaidya, S Meghana, Richa Ghosh, Harleen Deol. Match starts 7 PM IST.
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