’We will look inwards’: After red-ball success, India Women take on dominant Aussies in ODI series | Cricket News

After turning the tables on the seemingly-invincible Aussies with the red ball, India women get the white one in their hands for an ODI series that will also form part of the preparation for the 50-over World Cup in the country scheduled in 2025.The last fortnight has seen India dominate both England and Australia in Test cricket, but the four-day format is still a rarity in international women’s cricket. It’s limited-overs cricket that dominates the schedule, but recent success will fuel Harmanpreet Kaur & Co as they go into the first of three one-dayers at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India had not beaten Australia in a Test match in 10 attempts before last week, and have a dismal record against them in ODIs as well. The seven-time world champions have won 40 of the 50 matches against India, 17 of 21 in India. In fact, they have not been defeated in an ODI in this country in seven matches since February 2007.

💬 💬 “She has been an inspiration.”
Head Coach Amol Muzumdar heaps praises on #TeamIndia captain Harmanpreet Kaur 👏 👏#INDvAUS | @ImHarmanpreet | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/KWyXZWGM3v
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 27, 2023
But new head coach Amol Muzumdar would hope that the feel-good factor pervading the group will give them a lift. India have played only three ODIs this year – in Bangladesh where the bilateral series was tied 1-1 amidst some bad blood over umpiring decisions. There were no ODIs during England’s recent visit.
There are a few newcomers in the Indian squad with left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque and seamer Titas Sadhu getting their maiden ODI call-ups, along with all-rounders Shreyanka Patil and Mannat Kashyap. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh makes a comeback, as does opening bowler Renuka Singh who has made an impressive return from injury.
Saika was one of the finds of the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL), and played a key role in Mumbai Indians’ run to the title, which resulted in her T20I debut against England. Shreyanka played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL and was the first Indian to feature in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League.
There’s still a lot of experience in the squad in the form of Harmanpreet, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana.
The second and third ODIs in the series will be played on December 30 and January 2 (all at the Wankhede Stadium). Muzumdar said his goal would be to improve in the face of the challenge posed the dominant side in the women’s game.
“Yes, they (Australia) are a good team. They have been doing well in the past, but the message is very clear to the team — we would look inwards,” the former Mumbai captain said.“We would look to improve on every given opportunity on every single day. If we can do that, I will be happy,” he said.
Australia batter Beth Mooney said their men’s team’s recent victorious World Cup campaign had provided them with a few guidelines on how to go about their task in India.
“We have taken a little bit of insight from the Australian men’s team that were over here recently playing the ODI World Cup and getting some insights from them has been really helpful,” Mooney said.

“It is just about adapting as quickly as we can. The death bowling and batting is going to be really important, making sure we nail that.”
Mooney said the series will help them prepare for the next two major ICC events, which will be held in the subcontinent.
“It is probably just trying to get as much learning as possible. We have got a different looking side now compared to a couple of years ago and certainly when the 2013 ODI World Cup was over here in India,” she said.