As the Indian Women’s cricket team gears up to face the formidable Australia Women in their concluding ODI match of the series at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, excitement buzzes in the cricketing arena. Scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, this match promises to captivate audiences with the potential for exceptional cricketing performances.
The Australians, having secured a nail-biting three-run victory in the second match, have already clinched the series, leaving the host team to fight for more than just pride. The Women in Blue, led by the spirited Harmanpreet Kaur, have shown remarkable resilience in the series, pushing their opponents to the limit in both encounters. Now, they are determined to register a consolation win to kickstart the new year on a positive note.
In contrast, the visitors, captained by the dynamic Alyssa Healy, have an unblemished record to defend, having never lost an ODI series on Indian soil. Their unwavering confidence will undoubtedly make them the team to beat as they step onto the Wankhede pitch, which has historically been favorable to batsmen in the white-ball format.
Throughout this series, the quality of the Wankhede pitch has manifested itself with high-scoring outcomes becoming the norm. The Australian batting lineup, replete with talent, has already demonstrated its lethal prowess, successfully chasing down a daunting 282 in the first ODI and defending a competitive 255 in the previous encounter. These performances are testament to a venue that seems to create paradise-like conditions for batters.
Statistical insights into the Wankhede Stadium reveal that the average score in the first innings hovers around 253 runs, with teams taking initial strike winning 19 out of 36 ODIs held at this historic ground. The overall record also presents an encouraging landscape for teams that bowl first, who have claimed victory in 17 matches.
The highest total recorded at this storied venue is a mammoth 438/4, an achievement by the South African team against India. However, this ground has also witnessed a staggering low, when Sri Lanka crumbled to 55 all out against the home team. Additionally, the highest successfully chased score stands at 293/7, a feat accomplished by Australia against Afghanistan, while the lowest defended score is a modest 192/9 by West Indies against India.
This high-stakes India Women vs Australia Women match will be televised live across the country. Enthusiastic fans can immerse themselves in the on-field action on the Sports18 TV channel and can access live streaming via the Jio Cinema app and website.
Both teams boast impressive squads packed with international stars and upcoming talent. Australia’s batting and bowling units are bolstered by players like Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, and Megan Schutt. Meanwhile, India’s lineup features stalwarts such as Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, and the all-round capabilities of Deepti Sharma.
As the anticipation builds for this marquee clash between two titans of the women’s game, the focus will not just be on the outcome but also on the brand of cricket that will be played. Whether it will be India’s chance to shine or Australia’s quest to continue their dominance, the Wankhede Stadium is all set to add another memorable chapter to its rich cricketing history.
