Australia Women will play India Women in Allan Border Field’s second ODI of their three-match series. Australia leads 1-0 and has a great chance of winning based on odds considering that they won the first match convincingly. Under skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, the game will represent India’s resilience; players like Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues are vital for their success. Turn on Sunday at 5:15 AM to see if India can level the series.

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Focus on batting as demoralised India look to avoid series defeat against Australia

A desperate India will need their under-fire batters to step up in the second Women’s ODI against Australia here on Sunday, as the visitors aim to avoid yet another series loss Down Under.

India’s batting woes continued as the tourists were bundled out for 100 in the series opener, leading to a demoralising five-wicket defeat, their heaviest in terms of balls remaining since ODIs were reduced to 50 overs a side.

India have never won a series Down Under and they will have their task cut out against a quality Australian side, which showed no signs of rust despite playing in the format after a gap of nine months.

On the other hand, it was the Indians who appeared under-prepared as the squad was unable to train together as some of the players were competing in domestic T20 tournaments while others played in the Women’s Big Bash League.

Additionally, one of their two practice sessions here was washed out due to rain.

After opting to bat, the Indian batters were unable to capitalise on good batting conditions. They lost wickets at regular intervals, were unable to stitch partnerships, and were done in by Megan Schutt’s brilliant spell with the new ball.

With the batting inconsistencies continuing from the New Zealand series, time is running out for India, who will host the ODI Wold Cup next year.

The Indian think tank will be keen to stabilise their batting and bowling line-up ahead of the marquee event.

Even though the bowlers had a small target to defend, they did well to pick five wickets. The only silver lining in an otherwise forgettable outing for India was pacer Renuka Thakur and young leg-spinner Priya Mishra.

The tourists will have to regroup fast and having already played a game here, they will hope to give a better account of themselves.

Meanwhile, Australia produced an almost flawless performance despite missing regular skipper Alyssa Healy.

Veteran pacer Schutt registered career-best figures of 5/19 before young opener Georgia Voll impressed on debut.

Australia will be keen on putting up a similar display to seal another series win against India but the hosts are unlikely to take Harmanpreet Kaur and Co lightly.

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Uma Chetry, Richa Ghosh (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Saima Thakor 

Australia: Tahlia McGrath (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Darcie Brown, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham Match starts 5.15 am IST.

(PTI)