When it comes to women’s cricket challenges, facing Australia is the ultimate test. As the current holders of both World Cup titles, they serve as the standard for excellence, maintaining their dominance for an extended period. As Harmanpreet Kaur and her team gear up for the upcoming three-week series against Australia, it marks a pivotal moment for the sport. Can India showcase that the Women’s Premier League and increased exposure to high-level cricket have bridged the gap with Australia? Moreover, with Meg Lanning stepping aside, will Australia maintain its previous dominance on the international stage?
The one-off Test, a rare occurrence in India between these two sides after 40 years, will be followed by three ODIs and three T20Is, all of which hold significant importance for both teams, especially with two World Cups approaching in sub-continental conditions. While the white-ball assignments carry weight, the focus initially is on the Test match commencing at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. India enters the contest with confidence after a resounding 347-run victory against England, marking the largest margin of victory by runs in women’s Tests.
Harmanpreet, well-acquainted with the Australian challenge through years of competition, recognizes their formidable lineup. She emphasized Australia’s strength in having multiple all-rounders who consistently contribute with both bat and ball, avoiding dependence on a single player to secure a win. Harmanpreet acknowledged this aspect on Wednesday, stating, “That’s why we looked so strong in the Test against England too because everyone stepped up, that’s something Australia have been doing for a while which makes them stand out. We can learn that from them; that’s why they are the best.”
India’s task at the Wankhede is to counter Australia’s all-round strength over the next four days. Following a commendable performance against Heather Knight and Co. in Navi Mumbai, where they dominated sessions and maintained high energy levels, India faces the challenge of sustaining that intensity. Given the infrequency of women’s Test matches, coupled with the rarity of playing them consecutively, India needs to bring forth a similar level of intensity, recognizing Australia’s ability and firepower to stage a comeback.
The WPL impact
Harmanpreet will leverage her unique perspective, having been the sole Indian participant in the recent Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), to assess the form of the Australian stars. Conversely, Alyssa Healy and her team bring improved knowledge of Indian conditions, having been part of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) at these venues. India hopes that the WPL will play a pivotal role in narrowing the gap with Australia’s cricket prowess.
“Australia has played WBBL for 9 years, England has had a league for a few years, but now there is no doubt that the standard of WPL is right up there,” remarked India pacer Shikha Pandey during an interview with The Indian Express. She emphasized the significant impact of the WPL, considering it one of the most prominent women’s sports leagues ever in just its first year. Shikha expressed optimism that as more seasons unfold with additional teams, the league’s quality will only improve. Reflecting on her experiences in high-intensity situations in the WPL, she believes that such scenarios enrich her cricketing skills, a benefit she expects to extend to her fellow cricketers.
Echoing this confidence, spinner Radha Yadav stated, “I actually don’t think we are that far away from Australia now.” Citing India’s strong performance over the past year and the team’s commitment to narrowing the gap in various aspects, including diet, fitness, and game skills, Radha believes that India is on the verge of dominating.
Despite Australia’s consistent success, their rivalry with India has remained fiercely competitive in recent times. Against the backdrop of Asian sides achieving notable victories in 2023 against traditional powerhouses, there are discernible signs of a more level playing field. Shikha Pandey highlighted the overall trend in international cricket, citing examples like Sri Lanka defeating England away and Pakistan defeating New Zealand away, indicating a gradual bridging of the gap between teams.
Big shoes to fill
Healy is no newcomer to leadership, but this series marks the official commencement of her full-time captaincy. Reflecting on the enormity of the role, she acknowledged the challenge of stepping into the shoes of Meg Lanning, whose success as both a player and leader for the Australian cricket team is unparalleled in both men’s and women’s cricket.
Australia boasts a wealth of class all-rounders, with three or four potential top-seven batters excelling as bowlers, providing the team with exceptional balance. Healy recognizes the luxury of having such versatility in the squad, creating a pleasant dilemma for her as a captain. However, she also gives due credit to India, acknowledging that they are on the verge of building a formidable team of their own.
Healy emphasized the fiercely competitive nature of Australia versus India series across formats, describing them as hotly contested. Regardless of the format, these encounters showcase two of the world’s best sides locking horns. Recognizing India’s strength in their home conditions, Healy highlighted the challenge of facing a team with an abundance of talent. While Australia has experienced success in India, Healy cautioned against underestimating the talent within the Indian dressing room.
Over the past few years, Australia has managed to gain an edge over India in crucial moments and key tournaments. However, Healy acknowledges the evolving nature of cricket dynamics, foreseeing a potential shift in favor of the Indian team, becoming a dominant force in the near future.
Despite mutual admiration between the two teams, the upcoming matches are poised to ignite sparks as they step onto the field. The series promises to be a captivating journey over the next month, with both teams eager to assert their dominance in the highly anticipated contests.
Australia’s squad for Test: Alyssa Healy (Captain), Tahlia McGrath (Vice-Captain), Darcie Brown, Lauren Cheatle (Test format only), Heather Graham, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris (T20 format only), Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
India’s squad for Test: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia (Wicketkeeper), Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper), Sneh Rana, Shubha Satheesh, Harleen Deol, Saika Ishaque, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar
