India are set to take on Australia in the 1st T20I at DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai, after a disappointing 0-3 defeat in the ODI series. The visitors, who dominated the ODIs, pose a tough challenge for the hosts.

Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s skipper, has been struggling with form, and the team’s fielding has also been below par. However, there were some individual performances worth noting, such as Pooja Vastrakar’s explosive fifty, Richa Ghosh’s valiant 96, and Deepti Sharma’s fifer. These performances will be crucial indicators of form in the upcoming T20I.

Key batters like Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, and Shafali Verma will need to perform well to secure a competitive score. The spin-friendly pitch may work in India’s favor, with bowlers Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, and Renuka Singh Thakur leading the charge.

On the other hand, Australian women come into the T20Is with confidence after their ODI clean sweep. Phoebe Litchfield is in sublime form, while Alyssa Healey and Beth Mooney bring experience to the top order. 

Ellyse Perry’s middle-order prowess, backed by all-rounders Grace Harris and Ashleigh Gardner, adds depth to the lineup. Megan Schutt’s pace spearheads the attack, with leg-break bowler Alana King offering a spin dimension.

Pitch Report

The Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, is known for high scores, and a batting-friendly pitch is expected. Teams have favored chasing at this venue, making the toss crucial, leaning towards bowling first.