The third and decisive ODI match will be played between the India and Australia women's teams on September 20 in Delhi. India will aim to defeat Australia for the first time to win the series and assess its preparations before the World Cup.
IND W vs AUS W: The third and decisive match of the three-match ODI series between the Indian women's cricket team and the Australia women's team will be played on September 20 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The first two matches of the series took place at Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh, where Australia won the first match, and Team India made a spectacular comeback in the second game to level the series at 1-1. Now, in the third encounter, both teams will take to the field to win the series and gain confidence. This match will not only be about the series for Team India but also the final opportunity to test its preparations and strategies before the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup.
Opportunity to Defeat Australia for the First Time
For the Indian team, winning an ODI series against Australia would be historic because, out of 58 ODI matches played between the two teams so far, India has emerged victorious in only 11 encounters, while the Australian team has claimed 47 matches. Australia has dominated women's cricket across all formats, and the Indian team has not yet been able to defeat Australia in any bilateral ODI series.
If Team India, under the leadership of captain Harmanpreet Kaur, wins this third match, it will be the first time India creates history by winning an ODI series against Australia, and it will prove to be a significant confidence boost for the team before the World Cup.
Final Test Before the World Cup
The Indian women's team is preparing for the Women's ODI World Cup, which starts on September 30, and the third ODI serves as its final test. In the first two matches, only Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal have performed exceptionally with the bat, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur's bat has remained quiet. This could be a cause for concern for the captain, as her consistent performance will be crucial for the team in the World Cup. In the third match, Harmanpreet and other senior players will need to play responsible innings so that the team can enter the World Cup with confidence.
The Batting Department's Challenge
Team India's biggest concern is its batting department. In the first match, the opening batters provided a good start, but the middle order failed to show consistency. Pratika Rawal played an aggressive innings in the second match, leading the team to victory. In the third match, Indian batters will need to play stable and responsible innings against the Australian bowlers. Apart from Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the opening batters and middle-order players will have to contribute consistently for the team. This match will also test the team's mental strength and strategy under pressure.
Australia's Strength
The Australian women's team is known for its experience and capability and has achieved consistent success across all three formats of women's cricket. They possess world-class batters and bowlers who perform well even under pressure. In the first match, Australia overcame the Indian bowling to take a lead in the series. The captaincy of experienced players and team management will also prove challenging for India. Team India must enter the match with the right strategy and playing XI to defeat the Australian team.
