India will need to play their A game against the mighty Australians in the World Cup in Auckland on Saturday if they want to remain in contention to qualify for next round.
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Having shown a poor show so far, India will need to play their A game against the mighty Australians in the World Cup in Auckland on Saturday if they want to be in the race. In the preceding series against New Zealand, Indian bowlers struggled to do well but in the World Cup, the batting performance has become a huge concern with the team winning two games and as many losses after four games as well.
With three leagues games remaining, India should get back the momentum and consistency in all departments and maintain their place in the top four to qualify for the semifinals as well.
“If I had an explanation (for batting inconsistency), I would have definitely discussed in the dressing room. In the NZ series, our batters did well, the last four matches (in WC) the batting has not clicked as a unit and it is something we need work on,” said India opener Smriti Mandhana ahead of the Australia clash. “I am confident tomorrow will be a perfect game for the batters. The bowlers are doing an amazing job for us, they need more support from batters.”
With four wins out of four games, Australia are unstoppable now but if there is one team that can put a brake in their winning streak, it is India. The Mithali Raj-led team lost a closely contested series in Australia last year but ended Meg Lanning’s team 26-match winning streak by winning the final game.
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Meanwhile, both Mithali and all-rounder Deepti Sharma have exchanged their places at number three and four in the first four games but failed to make notable contributions. Smriti has shown top form and Harmanpreet Kaur too returned among runs which is certainly a massive boost to the team.
Both Smriti and Harmanpreet smashed centuries against the West Indies and shared a match-winning partnership. And, former India captain Diana Edulji is of the opinion that now that Harmanpreet has returned in form, she should bat higher as well.
Veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami, who will be playing her 200th ODI while taking on Australia, has made an impact in all the games so far and is expected to do well against the Australians as well. Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad has been the leading wicket-taker for India with eight wickets in her name. India managed only 134 in the last game but the bowlers still managed to dismiss six English batters as well.
As far as the Australian team is concerned, their opener Rachael Haynes has been in formidable form, who has amassed 277 runs at an average of 92. Most of the Australian players have contributed so far. Ellyse Perry has starred both with bat and ball whereas spinners Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner have also been effective with the ball as well. However, it will be interesting to see how things unfold when Australia will take on India at Eden Park on Saturday. The match will start at 6.30 am IST.
Squads:
Australia: Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes (VC), Darcie Brown, Nic Carey, Ash Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy (WK), Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington.
India: Mithali Raj (C), Harmanpreet Kaur (VC), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sneh Rana, Jhulan Goswami, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh Thakur, Taniya Bhatia (WK), Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav.
