India-W hope for a strong turnaround in T20I series opener against Australia-W

Things didn’t really go in the Indian women’s cricket team’s favour as they were overwhelmed by the Australian women convincingly in the ODI series. Going down 3-0 with a humongous defeat in the series finale, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team will be hopeful of turning the tide around in the T20I series.

One of the major problems for the Indian women’s team will certainly be their batting unit that has somehow switched on and off in the shorter format of the game against the reckoning force of Australia. The hopes will be pinned on the shoulders of Kaur herself, Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh to deliver the goods with the bat.

The inclusion of Shreyanka Patil into the fold makes her a valuable addition to India’s spinning department, one particular unit that has really faced the heat from Australia’s seasoned batters throughout the tour so far. A lot will also rely on the pace unit, spearheaded by Renuka Singh.

Australia are undoubtedly one of the most difficult sides to brave in the T20 format and the kind of form that they have found themselves in of late, makes them even more difficult to crack down. Both the sides would be hopeful of an action-packed showdown as the two teams meet in Navi Mumbai for the curtain-raiser of the ODI series.

Venue Watch:

A total of two T20Is have been played here in this venue out of which only one has produced a result. That match was won by bowling first and with dew coming into play, things change completely for the side batting second as it gets very difficult for the bowlers to get a grip on the ball.

Head to Head:

Matches played: 31

India – 7

Australia - 23

Match Details:

Match – India Women vs Australia Women

Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

Date: 5th January, 2024

Time: 1:30 PM

Squads:

India:  Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Saika Ishaque, Mannat Kashyap, Amanjot Kaur, Minnu Mani, Kanika Ahuja, Shreyanka Patil, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Titas Sadhu, Renuka Singh

Australia: Darcie Brown, Heather Graham, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham