A few days ago, Australia had their revenge against India in the final of the tri-series after being dismantled by the same team in the league match before the final. During the final, Australia knew exactly what team India would be doing and had answers for everything. The same match also witnessed the debut of Richa Ghosh, the teenager who can strike the ball well.
So, coming back to the first match of the T20 World Cup, this much-anticipated clash will have everything and one can expect the close contest as well.
Of course, Australia has the upper hand here considering how indecisively Indian middle-order is, the latter can be brutal on their given day.
Australia will be going in with Strano especially for the reason that she removed Shafali Verma most of the times. From the Indian point of view, Shafali holds the key for the team and they would want the kid to show what is she made of.
Australia’s other headache would be Smriti Mandhana who will be looking to play a long innings here. She will crucial for the team as well. If the team can get a good start, followed by some fast scoring by Rodrigues, Kaur and someone else in the middle, the team can win here. India must be looking to score something around 170 if they are batting first.
Also, India will be taking inspiration from the previous year’s World Cup where they defeated Australia by 48 runs. Having said that, can Indian spinners come good on a surface that majorly supports pacers?
It is a challenge though. However, the experience of Poonam Yadav can turn the tables here. She had a good return game in the warmups and would be holding the key alongside Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2.0.
If India is going in with Gayakwad, two Yadavs and Sharma, Richa Ghosh must have a go here considering she can bowl medium-fast. It is a tricky choice might prove worthy. The only problem with Richa Ghosh getting into the side is that she will be playing at number three, a crucial position.
For Australia, the team has six all-rounders and most of them are in a good form. Also, the team has Healy, Mooney, Gardner at the top followed by mighty Lanning, Haynes, Perry. The team look too good to give away chances.
Annabel Sutherland will be the most important player as well. The plus-point for her is that most of the teams will be concentrating on others while she can actually pull off the finisher role with ease. The lack of pressure considering the other players will be a gift for Sutherland.
Who cannot be excited to watch Megan Schutt swinging the balls here?
Expect more short balls, especially, to Mandhana and who knows, she can through her wicket away too.
A lot depends on Harmanpreet Kaur’s batting here as well, especially when there is a slump in the middle-order.
India must be looking to promote Taniya Bhatia up the order, thanks to her ability to play a solid knock. If the team needs, they can very well have Shikha Pandey and Pooja Vastrakar bat a bit above as well.
It is 60-40 in the favour of Australia, blame the inconsistency of the Indian side. Having said that, the Indian spinners can turn it around for the team too.
Let’s hope for a cracker of a game!
