Wed Dec 04 14:30:47 UTC 2024: ## India Women Face Australia in Crucial ODI Series Opener
**Brisbane, Australia:** India’s women’s cricket team begins their tour of Australia Thursday with the first of three ODIs against the hosts at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane (8:50 AM IST). The series holds significant importance as a lead-up to next year’s Women’s ODI World Cup.
India enters the series on the back of a 2-1 ODI win over New Zealand, but faces a tough challenge against Australia, who triumphed in their last ODI encounter in January by a resounding 190 runs. India’s record in Australia is less than stellar, with only four wins from sixteen ODIs. Their last series in Australia, in 2021, also resulted in a 2-1 defeat.
This match will see Harmanpreet Kaur leading the Indian team, but they will be without key players Shafali Verma (dropped due to poor form) and Yastika Bhatia (wrist injury). Australia will also be without regular captain Alyssa Healy, who is sidelined with a knee injury, with Tahlia McGrath leading the team and Ashleigh Gardner as vice-captain.
The match will be televised live on Star Sports Network in India and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.
First Piper 