Determined to break Australia's winning streak: Deepti Sharma

It has been almost 17 years since India Women beat Australia Women in an One-Day International (ODI) on home soil. The last time the Women in Blue achieved this feat was in February 2007 in Chennai. Since then Australia have won nine ODIs in a row against India in India.

Can they make it 10? All-rounder Deepti Sharma is determined to ensure that Alyssa Healy's side doesn't do so when the two sides clash for the third and final ODI in Mumbai on Tuesday (January 2). 

History have is not in India's side, who have beaten the Aussies just four times at home.

"Winning and losing is part of the game, but we have improved as a team, be it as a bowling unit or batting unit. We have improved a lot. We will try to break their winning streak as soon as possible," Deepti said in the pre-match press conference.

"There have been a lot of improvements. Earlier, whenever we would play against Australia, the games never used to go that close. This is one positive [from the last match] that we are able to take it till the end," she added.

Deepti picked up a fifer in the second ODI against Australia, but could not finish the job off with the bat as India fell three runs short. Deepti admits that the reason behind that is the fact that she trains a lot with the new and old ball.

"I have to speak about my bowling; I have trained a lot. I have increased my bowling sessions and have also bowled in different phases, such as with the new ball, in the middle overs, or even how to bowl with the old ball in the death overs," Deepti said.

"Every team plays to win but some days you are able to pull it off and some days you are not," Deepti added.