The second ODI of the ODI series between India Women and Australia Women is set to be hosted by the new PCA Stadium in Mullanpur on Wednesday, where the Aussies will be looking to seal the series, and the Women in Blue will be eyeing a win to keep their chances of their first bilateral ODI series win against the Southern Stars alive, who have been dominating them in the 50-over bilaterals since 1984. Though the last game did see some great performances by the hosts, they once again ended up being second best against the might Australians.
The Harmanpreet Kaur were in a great position to put a big total on the board with their top three batters, Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, and Harleen Deol scoring incredible half-centuries. However, the failure of the middle and lower middle order affected the scoring rate, and the visitors were able to restrict them to 281/7 which seemed 10-20 runs short on a good batting track in Chandigarh. Alyssa Healy and her team chased down the score without any hesitation, with Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney starring with the bat and taking the team to a comfortable eight-wicket win, giving them an early lead in the series. With two games to go, the Aussies will be looking to maintain their dominance, and India Women will be looking to make a comeback after the disappointing loss and end their 41-year drought against the seven-time world champions.
Form Guide
India Women’s recent form in ODI cricket has been impressive, having won their last three series, which include a tri-series with South Africa and Sri Lanka, and bilateral series against England and Ireland. They have had a decent run in their last five games, having won three of their last five games in 50-over cricket.
While the Women in Blue are enjoying a great run in the format, the Aussies are enjoying an unbelievable run, having won eight consecutive bilateral series and lost their last series against during the Women’s Ashes in 2023. They have been undefeated in their last five games so far and continue to remain the number one ranked team in the ODI format
India Women: L W L W W
Australia Women: W W W W W
IND-W vs AUS-W Head-to-Head in ODIs
India Women have struggled against Australia Women in the 50-over format and have not won a single ODI game against them since 2021. The two teams have played against each other in 57 games, in which the Southern Stars have been victorious on 47 occasions and the Women in Blue have only won 10 matches.
India Women 10 – 47 Australia Women
Pitch and Weather
The surface at the new PCA Stadium in Mullanpur might have offered a bit of bounce and seam movement for the pacers early on, but the small boundaries and dew factor made the conditions easier to bat in the first game. Looking at the conditions in the last match, chasing might be an ideal choice at this venue, where the team can make use of the bowling-friendly conditions early on and restrict the opposition to a chaseable target.
The expected temperature in Chandigarh will range from 29 to 32 degrees Celsius, and there might be a bit of cloud cover as well. There is a 16 % chance of rain as well, which may or may not affect the game.
Team News
Though the Women in Blue might have suffered a disappointing loss at Chandigarh, they are still expected to back their team in the upcoming game.
Australia women, on the other hand, might make a forced change within their lineup by bringing in spin-bowling all-rounder Sophie Molineux in place of Ellyse Perry, who might be rested due to the injury scare in the first game.
India Women Probable XI: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh(wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Kranti Goud.
Australia Women Probable XI: Alyssa Healy(c/wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt.
Broadcasting Platforms
The second ODI between India Women and Australia Women will be digitally streamed on the JioHotstar app/website, and will be telecast on the Star Sports network.