India vs Australia: Against the best, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team cannot afford slip ups

Women's World Cup: In the three matches so far in the campaign, Team India has won two, and lost one against South Africa.

In 59 matches between Indian women and Australian women in ODIs, the former have only emerged victorious 11 times, while the Aussies have won a staggering 48 times. It just seems, every time they play India, they know Harmanpreet Kaur‘s team would crumble under pressure. It is a record so lopsided, that it is nothing short of embarrassing. And yet, it continues to be so, after all these years.

Yes, Aussies are the reigning World Champions, but no top team loses to them so often, than India does. Since 2017 World Cup, it’s been worse, where the Indians have only won three matches. And now, when IND & AUS face off once again, there is a risk of the Aussies making it 49-11. So, why exactly that could happen?

Top & Middle-order Misfiring

Smriti Mandhana has 54 runs in three matches, Pratika Rawal 105, Harmanpreet 49, Harleen Deol 107, Jemimah Rodrigues 32.. India’s top-5 hasn’t scored a fifty in the three matches they have played. They have relied on individual brilliance from the lower order — where Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur and Richa Ghosh have contributed heavily. And these struggling batters could be in the firing line from Annabel Sutherland (5 wickets), Sophie Molineux (3 wickets), and Kim Garth (3 wickets).

Team Balance & All-round Issues

So far, the team hasn’t been able to come up with a combination where they can slot in Renuka Thakur and Amanjot Kaur together. If they leave out any one of them — either fast-bowling reserves are depleted, or the all-round ones. Radha Yadav, who too is an all-rounder has been warming the bench till now, with some non-performers getting chances.

Batting Order Needs Fix

It is clear that at the top of the order, Mandhana and Rawal need to come good. The best position for Harmanpreet is no. 3, and Harleen Deol needs to be pushed down. Jemimah needs to come in place of Richa Ghosh, who has been excellent so far with the bat. Amanjot deserves a promotion too.

Hit Australia Where it Hurts

The trio of Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Phoebe Litchfield haven’t been effective at the top of the order, and Kranti Gaud or Renuka, need to expose their weaknesses on Indian pitches. The main threat is from Beth Mooney and Ash Gardener in the middle overs, and only India’s best should be bowling at them, perhaps pacers. The duo play spin well.

Plus, the fielding has been poor; rather the catching has been poor by India. They need to grab every chance that comes their way, be it a half one. That is the biggest difference between the two sides.

IND vs AUS Full Squads

Australia Women Squad: Alyssa Healy(w/c), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Heather Graham, Sophie Molineux, Darcie Brown, Georgia Voll.

India Women Squad: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh(w), Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Uma Chetry.