After a thrilling ODI series, and a hard-fought Test in Mackay, the action now shifts to the shortest format of the game. The last time two sides squared off was in Melbourne, on Women's Day, 2020, where Australia outclassed India to win T20 World Cup.
But things have changed since then. If the last few weeks are anything to go by, Australia will be up against a more balanced Indian side. The series currently stands 6-4 in favour of the home side.
India will be boosted by the comeback of the T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who has recovered from a thumb injury. Kaur will have some tough calls to take, and the chief among them will be to decide who bats at No. 3.
Jemimah Rodrigues was terrific for Northern Superchargers in the inaugural edition of the Hundred. Rodrigues might replace Harleen Deol at No. 3. Deol batted twice and has had scores of 17 and 6 in the last T20I series, against England. Arundhati Reddy and Shikha Pandey are likely to lead the pace department.
Australia will be without Rachael Haynes, but they will go ahead with another all-rounder instead of Georgia Redmayne. Tahlia McGrath impressed everyone in the Test match, and she will make her T20I debut. Tayla Vlaeminck is available for selection, and she is likely to walk into the playing XI.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Pick Shafali Verma, Beth Mooney and Meg Lanning as three batters of your fantasy XI.
- Bet on Australia to take an early lead in the series.
Probable XIs
Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Darcie Brown, Tayla Vlaeminck
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Blitzpools Fantasy XI:
Alyssa Healy (vc), Beth Mooney, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry (c), Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Sophie Molineux, Hannah Darlington, Darcie Brown, Richa Ghosh
