Harmanpreet Kaur ruled out of the first ODI against Australia

India Women’s tour of Australia is set to commence on Tuesday (September 21) with the three-match ODI series. Ahead of the series opener, the visitors have been dealt with a huge blow as India vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been ruled out of the game. She didn’t take the field during the warm-up match as well and it remains to be seen if she will recover in time for the second ODI on September 24.

Kaur not batting in the middle-order leaves a big hole in India’s line-up and this might force Mithali Raj to again bat at four. Yastika Bhatia might replace her in the team’s starting XI following her impressive performance in the warm-up game.

India head coach Ramesh Powar confirmed the news of Harmanpreet Kaur not being available for the selection for the first ODI. It is extremely tough to beat Australia at home especially in the ODIs, and Kaur’s experience would’ve come in handy for the team.

Will Jemimah Rodrigues get a chance to play?

Jemimah Rodrigues wasn’t in the greatest of forms during the England tour. But she raked a lot of runs in the following The Hundred tournament. It remains to be seen if she will get a chance to feature in the first ODI. Interestingly, she was one of the three top players (others being Kaur and Shikha Pandey) to not play in the warm-up game.

Mithali Raj in the press conference ahead of the game, confirmed that Kaur and Jemimah were rested. With Shafali opening the innings and Kaur not playing, India might also opt for the young batsman in the middle-order ahead of Yastika Bhatia. The hosts, meanwhile, are looking the favourites to build on their consecutive 24 wins in the ODI format.

As far as India’s Australia tour is concerned, all the ODIs are set to be played at Harrup Park in Mackay. The one-off Test (D/N) and the three T20Is will then take place at the Carrara Oval in Queensland.