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  • February 18, 2025
India wants to avoid a clean sweep against Australia as their World Cup preparations are being checked for reality

India wants to avoid a clean sweep against Australia as their World Cup preparations are being checked for reality

Perth, a battered and bruised India will look to avoid a clean sheet and address some glaring issues ahead of next year’s 50-over World Cup at home when they take on Australia here on Wednesday in the third and final ODI for ladies.

India wants to avoid a clean sweep against Australia as their World Cup preparations are being checked for reality
India wants to avoid a clean sweep against Australia as their World Cup preparations are being checked for reality

The three-match series against the seven-time defending champions has served as a harsh reality check for India, who have failed in batting, bowling and fielding, with each area contributing to their struggles.

A record defeat of 122 runs in the second ODI underlined India’s vulnerability. Even though the batters shone in patches, they never really tried to chase down the Australian 371/8.

In batting, the biggest disappointment came from India’s two big stars skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and her deputy Smriti Mandhana.

Mandhana has achieved scores of 8 and 9 in Australia after her century in India’s 2-1 win over New Zealand in October. The flamboyant opener was in good form earlier this year, scoring over 450 runs at an average of over 70, and she would look to regain her form.

Harmanpreet, on the other hand, failed to convert her starts with 57 runs from two matches as her captaincy and batting have both come under scrutiny following India’s untimely exit from the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

In the absence of out-of-form opener Shafali Verma, India tried a different combination and the bright spot was the promising return of Richa Ghosh, who smashed a spirited fifty in the final ODI.

Richa’s 54 was the highest score by an Indian batsman in the series, in stark contrast to the two centuries and two fifties scored by Australian batsmen, highlighting the batting struggles of the Amol Muzumdar-coached side.

In the opening ODI, only four Indian batters could reach double figures.

The bowlers were also off target conceding eight runs into wides in the second ODI. The Indians were also guilty of dropping some crucial catches, allowing Australia to amass the third-highest ODI total of all time.

“We have to bat a little longer and go a full 50 overs. In bowling, we have to go back and think about plans,” Harmanpreet said after the final match.

Australia’s next generation has stepped up in style in the series, with the Tahlia McGrath-led side putting in a dominant performance despite missing regular skipper Alyssa Healy.

21-year-old Georgia Voll, who took on the role of opener in Healy’s absence, was a revelation.

On debut in the first ODI, she showed remarkable composure and anchored a modest 101-run chase with an unbeaten 46.

Voll followed it up with a stunning maiden century and formed a formidable partnership with veteran Ellyse Perry as the duo dismantled India’s struggling bowling attack.

For India, rookie leg-spinner Priya Mishra was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging series. The 20-year-old has shown promise by taking two wickets while defending a small total.

Squads

India: Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Uma Chetry, Richa Ghosh, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur and Saima Thakor .

Australia: Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Darcie Brown, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll and Georgia Wareham

The match will start at 8:50 AM IST.

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