Sun Sep 14 08:50:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**India Women Confident Ahead of Crucial Australia ODI Series**

**New Chandigarh:** On the eve of their final ODI series before the World Cup at home, Indian Women’s Cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has declared that her squad is ready to challenge Australia, the reigning champions.

Buoyed by recent success in England and intensive preparation focusing on fitness and skill, Kaur stated that the series against Australia is not merely about fine-tuning combinations, but also about making a significant statement of intent ahead of the World Cup.

“Our team’s performance over the last year and a half has brought us to the point where everybody has the belief that we can beat them,” Kaur said, emphasizing the shift in mindset within the squad. “As a captain, I personally have this genuine belief that we are good and we can beat them any day.”

While acknowledging Australia’s dominance, Kaur highlighted India’s recent victory against a full-strength England side. She also emphasized the consistency and understanding within the squad. “This squad has been more or less consistent for a while now – the girls have been playing together for years,” she said. “Now we know each other, our roles and what everyone brings to the table.”

Kaur also credited the Women’s Premier League (WPL) with bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket, citing the readiness of young talents like Kranti Goud and Pratika Rawal. “The girls coming in now look ready, they know how to push themselves at the international stage,” she said.

The captain also praised Rawal, who isn’t a product of WPL, for securing her spot in the team with consistent performances, even keeping Shafali Verma out of the World Cup squad. “The kind of numbers Pratika has shown, and the confidence she carries is something we could not ignore,” Kaur stated. “She brings stability to the team.”

The three-match ODI series against Australia begins on Sunday in New Chandigarh. The series serves as a crucial test for India as they gear up for the World Cup on home soil.

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