India-Australia women’s ODI series: India aim to avoid series sweep

A battered and bruised India will look to avoid a clean sweep and address some glaring issues ahead of next year’s 50-over World Cup at home when they face Australia in the third and final women’s ODI here on Wednesday.

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

A record 122-run defeat in the second ODI highlighted India’s vulnerability. Even though the batters shone in patches, they never truly looked to chase down Australia’s 371/8.

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

Mandhana has capped scores of 8 and 9 in Australia following her century during India’s 2-1 home series win over New Zealand in October. The flamboyant opener had been in fine form earlier this year, scoring 450-plus runs at a 70-plus average and she would look to regain her touch.

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

In the absence of out-of-form opener Shafali Verma, India tried out some different combinations and the bright spot has been the promising return of Richa Ghosh, who slammed a spirited fifty at the top in the last ODI.

Richa’s 54 has been the highest score by an Indian batter in the series, in stark contrast to the two centuries and two fifties scored by Australian batters, highlighting the Amol Muzumdar-coached side’s batting struggles. In the opening ODI, only four Indian batters could reach double digits.

The bowlers have also been off the mark, conceding eight runs in wides in the second ODI. The Indians were also guilty of dropping several crucial catches, allowing Australia to amass their third-highest ODI total of all time.

Rookie leg-spinner Priya Mishra has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging series. The 20-year-old has shown promise.

“We need to bat a bit longer and bat a full 50 overs moving forward. In bowling, we need to go back and think about plans,” Harmanpreet said after the last game.

Australia’s next generation has stepped up in style in the series, with the Tahlia McGrath-led side delivering a dominant performance despite missing regular skipper Alyssa Healy. The 21-year-old Georgia Voll, handed the opener’s role in Healy’s absence, has been a revelation. On her debut in the first ODI, she displayed remarkable composure, anchoring a modest 101-run chase with an unbeaten 46.

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