AUS-W vs IND-W: 3rd T20I Preview – India aim to sign off Australia tour with a victory
The Australian side landed the first blow in the three-match T20I series against India. In the second T20I between the two sides, India batted first and could only muster a total of 118/9 on the board, and the kangaroos went past the target with 4 wickets and 5 balls to spare.
With Australia reeling at 71/5, Tahlia McGrath stepped up, held her nerve, and scored a useful 42* for the hosts. Opener Beth Mooney also chipped in with a crucial 34 at the top of the order as well. With Australia 1-0 up and only one match left in the three-match rubber (the first match was abandoned), India will be on the back foot going into the third T20I, as it becomes a must-win match for them.
Tahlia McGrath’s first T20I innings turned out to be a match-winning one! #AUSvIND
Full highlights from last night’s last-over finish: https://t.co/W4R4atpApE pic.twitter.com/QVkCSTKSZF
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 9, 2021
In both matches, India’s openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana have failed to score big, and the ‘Women in Blue’ need contributions from the two batting powerhouses. India will be impressed with the way Rajeshwari Gayakwad performed in the 2nd T20I. The left-arm spinner was tidy with her line and length and scalped 3 wickets in the 4 overs that she bowled.
The pressure will now be on India to level the three-match T20I series. Can the ‘Women in Blue’ step up to the task, or will the Aussies inflict further misery on the Indian side?
Match Info
Australia Women vs India Women – 3rd T20I
Venue: Carrara Oval, Queensland
Time: 01:40 PM IST
Team News
India Women: The India Women are likely to make one change to their playing XI after their loss against the Australian side. India will replace Renuka Singh with Arundhati Reddy. Singh went wicketless in her 4-over spell in the 2nd T20I, and also leaked runs at an economy rate of 6.75 runs per over.
Arundhati Reddy comes in with an experience of 26 matches and has scalped 18 wickets in T20Is. Other than that, the rest of the lineup is likely to remain unchanged.
Australia Women: The Australia Women are unlikely to tinker with their winning combination and will go into the 3rd T20I with the same playing XI. Nicola Carey has scalped just 1 wicket in both matches put together in the series and has also leaked runs. But then, the kangaroos would like to give another chance to Carey in the third T20I.
