The action moves to the nation’s capital as India Women look to clinch a historic T20I series win on Australian soil. After a dominant, rain-curtailed victory in the first game at the SCG, the Women in Blue head into Canberra with a 1-0 lead and a massive boost in confidence.
The first T20I belonged to India’s bowling unit, specifically Arundhati Reddy, whose career-best 4/22 dismantled the world-renowned Australian batting order. India’s strategy was clear: strike early and often. Renuka Singh Thakur provided the initial breakthrough, and the spinners squeezed the life out of the middle overs. Chasing a rain-adjusted target, Shafali Verma’s aggressive cameo ensured India stayed well ahead of the DLS par score.
For Australia, this is a rare “back against the wall” moment at home. Under the new T20I leadership of Sophie Molineux, the Aussies will be desperate to fix their middle-order collapse. They were bundled out for just 133 in the opener, a total far below their lofty standards. With heavyweights like Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney in the ranks, expect a fierce counter-attack.
Australia Women vs India Women, 2nd T20I: Match Details
- Date and Time: February 19; 01:45 pm IST/ 08:15 am GMT/ 7:15 pm Local
- Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra
Manuka Oval Pitch Report
The Manuka Oval is widely regarded as one of the best batting surfaces in Australia, but it offers a “fair fight” for those willing to bend their backs. Batters can trust the bounce here, making it an ideal venue for stroke-makers like Harmanpreet Kaur and Phoebe Litchfield. Unlike smaller subcontinental grounds, the square ropes are quite long. This rewards disciplined bowlers and punishes batters who mistime their “heaves” toward the mid-wicket region. While pacers get some movement with the new ball under lights, the pitch traditionally slows down slightly as the match progresses. Expect Deepti Sharma and Georgia Wareham to play massive roles.
Squads
India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Bharti Fulmali, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Gunalan Kamalini
Australia: Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Kim Garth, Sophie Molineux (c), Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Grace Harris, Nicola Carey, Georgia Wareham
Australia Women vs India Women: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- India Women wins the toss and bowls first
- Australia Women’s powerplay score: 50-60
- Australia Women’s total score: 170-190
Case 2:
- Australia Women wins the toss and bowls first
- India Women’s powerplay score: 55-65
- India Women’s total score: 180-200
Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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