IND vs AUS: While both India and Australia are gearing up for the next Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, the next series between the two cricketing giants is being considered an important chance to solidify their strategies and team combinations before heading into the world championship. With both sides soon to face each other at the New Chandigarh Stadium, this series will be a crucial rehearsal for the World Cup.
India and Australia Prepare for Women’s ODI World Cup 2025
As the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 approaches, both India and Australia are preparing to fine-tune their preparations. For India, this is a chance to face the defending champions of the World Cup (Australia), with Australia being able to get used to Indian conditions, before the other competing countries.
India comes into this series on a positive record, having won nine of their past 11 ODIs in 2023. Their latest victory over England in their home conditions has also given them a boost of confidence.
India, though, has a tough job against the mighty Australia, which has been dominating the rivalry in recent times. Australia has beaten India in 12 out of the last 13 ODIs following India’s World Cup semi-final defeat of 2017.
For India, the series is not just about finding their team combination but also how they go about defeating Australia’s supremacy, especially in ICC tournaments. A win for India in this series will put them among the favorites to win the Women’s ODI World Cup.
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Australia’s Impressive Track Record and Pre-Series Preparation
Conversely, Australia’s previous ODI series was in January 2024 when they whitewashed England 3-0 in the Women’s Ashes. They have played T20Is since then, and with a number of players returning from injuries, they hope to remove any rustiness before the Women’s ODI World Cup. Australia boasts an impressive record, having lost just three out of their last 28 matches since the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup.
Even after missing ODIs for so many months, Australia is a strong team. They have ten players who were in the team that won the 2022 World Cup, and they will return to full fitness in no time. The India series will help them practice their game, especially against spinners, which will come in handy during the Women’s ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Key Players to Watch in IND vs AUS:: Alyssa Healy and Sneh Rana
Australian captain Alyssa Healy has had a rollercoaster year with injuries interfering in her performance, such as a ruptured plantar fascia and a stress fracture on her foot.
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She also made a good comeback during the recent Australia A series against India A, where she scored 91 and 137 not out. Healy is going to take Australia into her inaugural Women’s ODI World Cup as captain, and her leadership would be instrumental in Australia’s success in the competition.
For India, Sneh Rana is one to watch out for. Ever since returning to India’s white-ball squad, Rana has been outstanding in form, especially during the 2023 Women’s Premier League (WPL), where she made an excellent all-round display.
Her 15 wickets in the Colombo tri-series, followed by a good show in the England ODIs, is an indication that Rana will be the key player for India in the Women’s ODI World Cup, particularly in the middle overs where spin will play an important part.
Team News: India’s Injury Comeback and Australia’s Possible Changes
India gives a warm welcome back to Renuka Singh from injury, and she will open up ahead of Arundhati Reddy in the bowling order. Kranti Goud will be included in the pace attack, while India will bank on Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, and N. Shree Charani for spinners. The Indian team is likely to strike both pace and spin balance, with an eye on the conditions to be faced in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.
Australia, on the other hand, can make a few changes from the team last engaged with England. Although Sophie Molineux, who recovered from injury, has not been announced fit for the ODI format.
There is still a strong team in Australia which includes players such as Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, and Megan Schutt who have a lot of experience to offer. Alyssa Healy will be the captain, and Australia will seek to settle into rhythm before the World Cup begins.
The New Chandigarh Stadium: The X Factor
The series will be played at the New Chandigarh Stadium, which has hosted IPL matches but is playing its first international match. Both teams will have no idea about the conditions here and, depending on the weather, that might introduce a factor of unpredictability. The weather forecast is of cloudy skies with a possibility of rain, something which might disturb the playing conditions.
Statistics and Milestones to Watch
Harmanpreet Kaur is likely to join the list of three Indian players with 150 Women’s ODIs. Megan Schutt is on the cusp of joining eight Australians with 100 Women’s ODIs under her belt.
Smriti Mandhana, in phenomenal shape since June 2024, has so far played 23 innings and notched 1346 runs at an average that leaves everyone stunned. She has six hundreds to her name, more than any other player in this span.
Quotes: India’s Confidence vs Australia’s Dominance
India Captain Harmanpreet Kaur:
“No doubt, they [Australia] have been very dominating. They have played well all over the world and dominated. But we are also at a stage where, as a captain, we have the belief we can beat them on any day. The processes in the last one and a half years has been good, we have improved quite a lot. Even in England, we beat one of their best sides. These show that we are on the right track.”
Australia Captain Alyssa Healy:
“This is the most stable Indian team I’ve seen and I think they’re in a really good place heading into this World Cup, so I’m looking forward to that challenge. The rivalry continues to grow. I know how much they love beating Australia and I know how good they are in their home conditions and that’s really a challenge for us. I think it’s going to be a really enjoyable, hard-fought series.”
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