India aim to carry on winning momentum while Australia look for a win in Canberra

Converting starts into big innings will be in focus for India when they face their Australian counterparts in the third encounter of the T20I tri-series at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Sunday (February 2).

Openers Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and young Jemimah Rodrigues all got starts in the opening game against England, but failed to capitalise before skipper Harmanpreet Kaur took the Women in Blue over the line with an unbeaten 34-ball 42.

Australia, who lost their opener against England via a Super Over, will come hard at India, and the Harmanpreet-led side will have to pull up their socks if they want to keep on the winning momentum.

Making her T20I comeback for India after approximately 18 months, Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the pick of the bowlers against England scalping two wickets and giving away just 19 runs in her four overs.

India up and about early! Wyatt goes cheaply and England 2/9 in the third over.#INDvENG | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/CTmHs6PLHx

— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 31, 2020

Besides Gayakwad, the likes of Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav also picked up wickets (five in total) against England but were a tad expensive. And with some world-class players in the Aussie line-up, Kaur would definitely want a better show from her teammates, especially in the field. 

Meanwhile, India do have an injury scare in Pooja Vastrakar, who hurt her left hamstring against England while fielding, and also in Richa Ghosh, who reportedly rolled her ankle during practice. This may probably open the door for Arundhati Reddy to come in. The allrounder who has been in and out of the playing XI since the previous T20 World Cup, will be more than eager to make a good impression if given an opportunity.

On the other hand, the Australians would be disappointed at the loss, despite coming so close on Saturday (February 1). The hosts were going steadily before a five-wicket burst in the middle overs changed the plot.

However, debutant Annabel Sutherland’s quick unbeaten knock of 22 off just 11 balls with four boundaries tilted the match in Australia’s favour before the English side applied the brakes towards the end.

ALSO READ: Annabel Sutherland to play in T20 World Cup 2020

Lying at the bottom of the table with no points, the Meg Lanning-led side would definitely want to turn things around keeping the Women’s T20 World Cup in mind at home starting February 21.

Opener Beth Mooney, who hit a brilliant 65 against England, will look to continue her run, while Australia would also perhaps look to re-work their bowling plans after England escaped from a seemingly delicate position.

The last time these two sides met was in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2018, when India emerged victorious. Will that play on Australia's mind when they walk out on Sunday?

Squads

Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Rachael Haynes, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux, Erin Burns, Tayla Vlaeminck.

India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Veda Krishnamurthy, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Radha Yadav, Richa Ghosh, Arundhati Reddy, Harleen Deol, Nuzhat Parween, Poonam Yadav.