India Women (IND-W) are struggling in the second ODI against Australia Women (AUS-W) at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, after losing three quick wickets to slip to 103/4 in 24.1 overs. Deepti Sharma was the latest batter to fall, leaving India in a precarious position as they attempt to bounce back from a heavy first-ODI defeat.

Harmanpreet Kaur, continuing her trend of winning tosses Down Under, elected to bat first on a challenging, bouncy pitch. India made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Vaishnavi Sharma for her ODI debut and Amanjot Kaur replacing Shafali Verma and Renuka Singh Thakur, respectively. The Women in Blue, having secured a 2-1 lead in the T20I leg of the multi-format series, now face the task of regaining momentum in the One-Dayers.

The first ODI saw India bundled out for just 214 in 48.3 overs despite resistance from Kaur (53), vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (58), and Kashvee Gautam (43). Australia chased down the target comfortably, thanks to fifties from Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney and a brisk 48 from Annabel Sutherland, sealing victory in 38.2 overs. Sree Charani’s two wickets and tidy economy rate were the only positives for India in the bowling department.

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Today, the Indian batting lineup will rely on Mandhana, Rodrigues, and skipper Kaur to stabilise the innings, while Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur are expected to rebuild the middle order. Australia, despite injury concerns with Sophie Molineux ruled out for the remainder of the series, continues to field a strong and experienced side led by Alyssa Healy, with Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland expected to lead the chase if India posts a competitive total.

Playing XI:
India: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma.
Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown. Fans and cricket enthusiasts can follow live updates as the Women in Blue look to avoid another early collapse and set a challenging target for the defending world champions, Australia.

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