MUMBAI – After losing the first match, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s team will have a tough challenge to salvage the series with a win during the second ODI against Australia on Saturday. In the first match at Wankhede, the Indian team retreated on every front.
Jemima Rodrigues 82 and Pooja Vastrakar 62 not out helped India post the highest score of 282 for 8 against Australia. Later, with seven bowlers dismissed, the visiting team registered an easy victory with six batsmen to spare after three overs.
This was India’s eighth consecutive defeat at home. This is the seventh match of the Indian team in all formats in the last 23 days. 11 matches to be played in 35 days. It remains to be seen whether vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who missed the first match due to health, will play.
Tahlia McGrath will need to be dismissed early if India are to win. In the first match, the pitch was complementary to the batting. It is unlikely that it will change in the next two matches.
