INDW vs AUSW: Confident Harmanpreet Kaur-led India seek to overcome historical struggles against Australia in ODI series

After securing two consecutive Test wins, the India women's team will shift their focus to white-ball cricket, engaging in a three-match ODI series against seven-time world champions Australia. The series is set to commence in Mumbai on December 28.

India have displayed excellent form in their recent matches, triumphing in their last three contests, including two Tests and one T20I. This positive streak follows the initial setback of losing the first two T20Is to England, resulting in conceding the three-match series during this long home season.

Following a dominant performance against England, where India secured a record 347-run victory in the one-off Test, they continued their momentum by defeating Australia by eight wickets at the Wankhede Stadium last week. The same venue will host the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia.

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Given their current form, India will aim for more success in the upcoming fixtures. However, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side is well aware that they face a significant challenge against Australia, a team that has historically dominated them in 50-over cricket.

India hold a record of 10 wins and 40 losses from 50 ODIs against Australia overall. Their performance at home has been particularly poor, with only four wins in 21 ODIs and 17 defeats. Notably, India have not secured a victory against Australia in any of their last seven home matches since February 2007.

The last match between India and Australia in ODI cricket at the Wankhede Stadium dates back to March 2012, when the home team suffered heavy defeats. They lost by 221 runs and five wickets in the last two ODIs of the three-match series.

During that series, India suffered a substantial defeat in the opening ODI at Ahmedabad, falling short by 30 runs, and were eventually whitewashed.

Now, with a new leadership duo consisting of skipper Harmanpreet and coach Amol Majumdar, India see this as a valuable opportunity to strengthen their preparations for the ODI World Cup in 2025. These upcoming matches also provide a chance to improve India's recent poor record in 50-over cricket against Australia.

India have faced defeat in each of the past seven ODIs against Australia, including a 0-3 whitewash at home in 2018, maintaining a winless streak for approximately six years. The team led by Kaur is eager to reverse this trend, commencing with the first ODI scheduled for December 28.

In preparation for this white-ball series against Australia, India have infused new talent into their lineup, introducing the promising Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Mannat Kashyap, and Titas Sadhu, all receiving their maiden ODI call-ups.

However, India will be without Devika Vaidya, who has been omitted despite her performance of taking six wickets in three matches in Bangladesh.

India have participated in only three ODIs this year, which constituted a three-match away series in Bangladesh. The series concluded in a 1-1 draw, with the third game ending in a tie amidst controversial circumstances, resulting in skipper Kaur's two-match ban.

Jemimah Rodrigues emerged as India's top run-scorer in the three ODIs this year, accumulating 129 runs. Meanwhile, for Australia, left-hand opener Beth Mooney has been the leading run-scorer with 387 runs, including one century and two fifties, in 11 matches.

Contributions from Phoebe Lichfield and Ellyse Perry have also been noteworthy for the visitors. As they look to capitalise on the lessons learned from the conditions in the one-off Test, new skipper Alyssa Healy aims to secure another series victory with an eye on the 2024 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

The visiting team will rely on Ashleigh Gardner, who has claimed 21 wickets in 11 ODIs this year, to maintain her successful form.

Australia's confidence remains intact despite the Test result, as white-ball cricket is a format that the players are more accustomed to. This sentiment was acknowledged by Healy after the conclusion of the one-off Test.

Squads: 
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Mannat Kashyap, Saika Ishaque, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, Harleen Deol.

Australia: Darcie Brown, Heather Graham, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alyssa Healy (c&wk), Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney (wk), Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham.

(Powered by AI, Inputs by PTI)

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