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Harmanpreet & Co. Face tough test in their quest to make it to the semis
There’s an aura of invincibility that surrounds the Australian women’s team. They don’t wear it heavily on their sleeve, but it’s on show when they show their skills on the field. Their runaway nine-wicket win over Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup fixture on Friday is a case in point.
On Sunday, when the Indian team takes on their nemesis from Down Under in Sharjah, their enviable 14-match winning streak in T20 World Cups will not be lost on Harmanpreet Kaur and Co.
Australia are all but through to the semifinals, but India have a lot riding on this match. Australia are currently placed on top with six points and a net run rate of 2.78 while India lie second with four points from three games and an NRR of 0.576.
To secure their place in the last four, they will have to get past the Australians or ride on luck in a tight group where only Sri Lanka is out of contention. NRR will then be the deciding factor.
Australia will get a chance to test their bench strength after captain Alyssa Healy left the field during the Pakistan game due to an injury to her right foot and fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck dislocated her shoulder.
But the Indian side, after clinching an 82-run win over Sri Lanka, will not take the defending champions lightly as they play their first game in Sharjah.
Incidentally, an Indian team takes to the field in Sharjah after nearly 24 years.
While Indian openers – Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma returned to form against Lanka and looked more settled and composed in the middle along with captain Harmanpreet, the rest of the Indian lineup will hope to get some runs under their belt.
Though India have tested Australia in the past, the reigning champions remain overwhelming favourites.
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