Meghna Singh, a pacer, makes her T20 International debut on Friday at Edgbaston, where India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and decided to bat first against Australia in their opening Group A encounter of the women's T20 competition for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The game between India and Australia in Birmingham's early-morning sunshine also serves as the multi-nation tournament's debut for women's and T20 cricket. After 24 years, when the 1998 edition featured men's List A matches at Kuala Lumpur, the 2022 Commonwealth Games will also see the return of cricket to the Commonwealth Games fold.
Prior to the Commonwealth Games, India had defeated Sri Lanka 2-1 in T20I matches. India will play its first T20I game at Edgbaston on Friday.
"The pitch looks nice. The past two months have seen us working extremely hard to see what will work for us. The side appears promising. Three spinners, two medium pacers, a keeper, and the remaining batters are on the field "Harmanpreet added.
Australia, who were the clear favourites to win the gold medal, played Pakistan and Ireland in a tri-series, and they won despite having most of their games interrupted by rain.
"Will be enjoyable to go out first as a team on the field. Preparation has been good, we are ready to play. We have played in big competitions. We are so used to it (extra pressure) to be honest. We want to win every game we play. It is a new tournament, difficult to win, but want to enjoy the challenge," said skipper Meg Lanning.
Playing XI
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wicketkeeper), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Meghna Singh and Renuka Thakur.
Australia: Alyssa Healy (wicket-keeper), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (captain), Tahlia McGrath, Rachael Haynes, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown.