The Indian team has won two of its four matches in the ICC Women’s World Cup. India, who have had their ups and downs so far, will have to do well in every department of the game against a strong Australia side on Saturday to get their campaign back on track in the Women’s World Cup.
In the last series against New Zealand, the Indian bowlers struggled to find momentum, but the batsmen’s performance in the two wins and two losses in the World Cup so far has lacked consistency.
India now have three league matches to play and have to show consistency in all departments if they want to make it to the top four to make it to the semi-finals.
Australia are still unbeaten with four wins from four matches, but if there is one team that can halt their winning streak, it is India. The Mithali Raj-led side went down in a close series in Australia last year but ended Meg Lanning’s 26-match winning streak.
Indian batsmen have not been able to perform as a unit so far. Mithali and all-rounder Deepti Sharma have not been able to make the required contribution in the first four matches. The stellar form of Smriti and Harmanpreet Kaur, however, augurs well for the team. Both of them had scored centuries against West Indies.
Veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, who is preparing to play his 200th ODI, has made an impact in all three matches. Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gaikwad has also bowled well. The Indian bowlers, however, will have to put in extra efforts to get out in-form Rachel Haynes, who has so far scored 277 runs at an average of 92.
Ellyse Perry has done well with both bat and ball while spinners Elana King and Ashleigh Gardner have also been dominant. The match will start at 6.30 am Indian time.
The teams are as follows:
Australia: Meg Lanning (c), Rachel Haynes (vc), Darcy Brown, Nick Carey, Ash Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Elana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda -Jade Wellington.
Bharat: Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet Kaur (vice captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Jhulan Goswami, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh Thakur, Tania Bhatia ( Wicketkeeper), Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Poonam Yadav.