PRE MATCH ANALYSIS
Follow UsAnd we are all set to witness history unfold at Edgbaston!
Well, excuse me if it was a bit over dramatic, but as ardent supporters of women's cricket, it is heartening to see the direction where the sport is heading, and the introduction of women's cricket in the Commonwealth Games is just the start of something incredibly special.
29th July 2022: The stage will be set for a classic showdown as Australia and India rekindle their rivalry in the opening clash of the high-voltage tournament, which is guaranteed to grab many eyeballs.
In a pre-departure press conference, Smriti Mandhana brushed aside the Aussie threat by saying, "We have played Australia in the openers in quite a lot of tournaments, and in a T20 tournament, any team can beat any team. I wouldn't term Australia a big team and make them feel good about that."
Well, only time will tell how the two teams go about their business in the tournament opener, but it promises to be a blockbuster with match-winners on either side.
In fact, the last time these two sides locked horns in the shortest format of a world event was the summit clash of the World Cup Down Under, which changed the dynamics of women's cricket as over 85,000 people flogged the Melbourne Cricket Ground to witness Australia rewrite the history books.
However, this time around, things are going to be a tad bit different as the teams will be up against each other in a country where the Women in Blue scripted a revolution back home with their exploits in the World Cup in 2017.
Five years ago, the narrative of women's cricket changed courtesy of India's dominant performance in England, and they would be itching to use this extravaganza as another opportunity to create history in a land that helped the people of India stand and applaud.
A lot has changed in the last five years, with a plethora of young players coming into the side and creating a niche for themselves at the international level.
The Indian team would be hurting after their below-par performance in the World Cup earlier this year in New Zealand. However, they bounced back with consistent performance against Sri Lanka away from home in the white-ball series.
India made optimum use of the three T20I matches against Sri Lanka and worked on steadily eliminating the chinks in their armour ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
In what comes as a massive jolt to their plans and preparation for the Women in Blue, though, the team has been rocked by a couple of positive Covid-19 cases before the commencement of the tournament.
India's combination conundrum
With S Meghana and Pooja Vastrakar ruled out of atleast the opening clash, the Indian team management would be racking their brains on the possible combination for the fixture.
The duo have been an integral part of the side in the last couple of series and were regular members of the playing XI, making it challenging for Harmanpreet Kaur to determine the best possible team.
Meghana smashed a half-century on debut in the Women's T20 Challenge and has been one player to watch out for in the international circuit after her exploits against the White Ferns just before the World Cup.
On the other hand, India groomed Vastrakar to be the finisher of the side in the white-ball format. The all-rounder has repeatedly bailed the team out of tricky situations, including her match-winning half-century against Pakistan in the World Cup. The 22-year-old is touted to be one of the trump cards for the side heading into this mega event.
However, with two players from the playing XI not available for selection, the team management can opt to use the services of Harleen Deol and Meghna Singh.
While Harleen is known for her strokeplay in the domestic circuit and has played a handful of international matches, Meghna can swing the new ball and create inroads in the opposition line-up.
Deepti Sharma crucial to India's fortunes
Another significant area of concern is the wicket-keeping options for the Women in Blue. While Taniya Bhatia is undoubtedly the best keeper in the nation, in a right-handed heavy batting unit, India would be tempted to slot Yastika Bhatia as the wicket-keeper alongside Deepti Sharma, given her ability to bat left-handed in the middle order.
While we have touched upon India's right-handed heavy batting unit, the team management can utilise the hitting abilities and the experience of Deepti in the middle overs, especially against Australia.
The Aussie outfit has Jess Jonnasen and Alana King operating in the middle overs, and the duo are set to take the ball away from the right-handers. In an era of match-ups, a left-hander in the middle will not only upset the rhythm of the two spinners but also provide India with an attacking option in the middle overs.
Australia: The favourites, yet again?
While we analysed India's conundrum heading into this game, their opposition seems to have all the bases covered as they look to become the first team to clinch the coveted gold medal.
Ever since their painful defeat in the semi-finals of the 2017 World Cup against India, Australia have adopted an aggressive brand of cricket and took the world by a storm with their exploits in the last couple of years.
In a conversation with ESPN Cricinfo, Tahlia McGrath said that the 2017 defeat reshaped the values of the side. "It was something that we sort of really looked at and reshaped our values and how we play our brand of cricket."
Well, the results are out there for everybody to witness as Australia are the champions in the fifty-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup and will set foot at Edgbaston as the firm favourites for the championship.
While India and England, in their home conditions, will pose a threat to them, the kind of match-winners Australia possesses and the brand of cricket that they showcase, it will not be a surprise if they finish on top of the podium.
Probable XI:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Meghna Singh, Renuka Thakur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, Harleen Deol
Australia: Meg Lanning (Captain), Rachael Haynes (vice-captain), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt
