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NEW DELHI: Outplayed in the series opener, reigning world champions India will look for a sharper batting display in the second women’s ODI against Australia to keep the three match contest alive on Friday.

After clinching the T20 series 2-1, India made a subdued start to the ODI leg, going down by six wickets in Brisbane. The Indian women have never secured a bilateral ODI series win over Australia.

Australia have held the upper hand in this format, winning all 11 bilateral ODI series between the two teams, including a 3-0 sweep in late 2024 and a 2-1 triumph in September 2025.

However, India can take confidence from their five wicket victory over Australia in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semifinals.

Batting must step up

In the series opener here, India fell short of expectations and were dismissed for a modest 214.

Apart from vice captain Smriti Mandhana (58), skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (53) and Kashvee Gautam (43), the rest of the batting unit failed to convert starts and struggled against Australia’s disciplined attack.

Pratika Rawal was dismissed for a duck at the top, while Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma also could not make an impact. India will hope the quartet finds form in the must win clash.

Wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh, who managed 23, also found it tough and the side will expect her to provide late momentum.

Bowling unit under pressure

With the ball, left arm spinner Sree Charani stood out with 2/41 from nine overs, but she will need better backing from Deepti Sharma (1/49) and Kashvee through the middle phase.

The bigger responsibility, though, lies with right arm pace duo Renuka Singh and Kranti Gaud, who were unable to strike early in the opening match.

With the series on the line, the team management could consider bringing in all rounders Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana.

Senior all rounder Deepti is optimistic about bouncing back in the second ODI and leveling the series.

"As a team we played but the result didn't come our way. We wil come back stronger in the next game," she said on the eve of the match.

"We will keep it simple, we are not thinking that much. We are focussing on our strengths."

Australia eye series seal

Australia, meanwhile, will be eager to seal the series and give skipper Alyssa Healy a fitting farewell. She struck a fluent 50 at the top in the previous game.

Healy and Phoebe Litchfield have looked solid as an opening pair, putting together a half century stand, and will aim to maintain that rhythm.

The chase proved straightforward for Australia as Beth Mooney (76) and Annabel Sutherland (48 not out) stitched an 85 run partnership for the fourth wicket to wrap up the game.

Australia’s bowling unit has also impressed, with Megan Schutt, Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, Tahila McGrath and Sophie Molineux all economical and among the wickets.

The multi format series trophy, which also features a lone pink ball Test in Perth, will be decided on a points system, with two points awarded for each T20 and ODI win and four for a Test victory.

Teams:

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Kashvee Gautam, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal.

Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Sophie Molineux (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

Match starts at 9.20 am

(With PTI Inputs)