The shortest format in cricket is the one where difference in quality of the teams is the least visible. Or so goes conventional wisdom and the women in blue would be banking on that as two of the toughest opponents in world cricket await them in the T20I tri-series.

Whitewashed by Australia in the three-match ODI rubber, the Indian women cricketers would be hoping for a reversal of fortunes when they clash with the same rivals in the opening match of the tri-series starting in Mumbai on Thursday.

World Champions England are the third team to figure in the tournament in which all matches will be played at the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne Stadium. The BCCI has confirmed that the North Stand is open to the public and there are no gate fees.

The Indian women’s team would take confidence from their 3-1 win against South Africa in the five-match T20 series held in the Rainbow Nation last month. But having gone down in the ODI series without much of a fight against Australia, the task is cut out for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side.

With back-to-back half centuries, Smriti Mandhana was the top run-getter for Indian women during the ODI series against Australia and she would look to continue her good run. Among others, the batting would depend largely on the experienced duo of Kaur and Mithali Raj and the two players would need to fire big against a strong Australian pace attack.


India also have power-hitters like Veda Krishnamurthy and all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar in their ranks. The latter impressed in the ODI series, scoring a crucial 51 in the first match. Young Mumbai girl Jemimah Rodrigues too showed her skills when she scored a racy 42 after being asked to open the innings in third ODI.

Ekta Bisht ruled out

With experienced Jhulun Goswami back in the mix, the seam attack looks more or less settled as Shikha Pandey would look to share the burden after taking five wickets during the ODI series.

The spin department has off-spinner Deepti Sharma and leggie Poonam Yadav. The two had played a pivotal role in the team’s win in South Africa and if the Aussies are to be restricted, they will have to be at their best.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad was named as the replacement for injured Ekta Bisht in India’s squad as the left arm spinner was advised rest for 10 days after suffering an injury to her left index finger during a caught and bowled attempt in the third ODI against Australia in Vadodara.

On the other hand, the Aussies will be aiming to continue their form and keep the winning momentum going. Their skipper Meg Lanning, who failed to convert her starts in the ODI series, would be hungry to get some runs under her belt. Wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy, who scored a magnificent 133 in the final ODI at Vadodara, is among runs and poses a big threat to the Indian bowlers.

Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen too has proved to be a difficult customer for the Indians as she picked eight wickets during the ODI series. Other spinners Amanda-Jade Wellington and Ashleigh Gardner have done well and the hosts will have to be careful against them.

Teams:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Mithali Raj, Veda Krishnamurthy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Anuja Patil, Deepti Sharma, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bisht, Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Rumeli Dhar, Mona Meshram.

Australia: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Naomi Stalenberg, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.