After securing a convincing 3-1 win in the T20I series a few days ago, the Indian women's squad feels strong heading into the three-match ODI series against South Africa. However, the home side is currently dealing with a major injury setback.
Having recorded an agreeable 3-1 win during the T20Is a couple of days prior, the Indian ladies seem certain heading into the three-coordinate ODI arrangement against South Africa here. The home group, in any case, needs to manage major damage concern.
The team's talented opening batter, Smriti Mandhana, will miss at least the first ODI due to a toe fracture sustained during practice. A full assessment at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru is required to determine the severity of the injury and the expected recovery time.
Smriti needs an MRI, but the procedure is on hold until the swelling in her toe goes down. India's head coach, W.V. Raman, mentioned on Tuesday that it's too early to predict when she'll be back. Although she only scored 46 runs in the previous four T20Is, her presence at the top of the order is highly valued in 50-over matches. Consequently, her absence paves the way for 23-year-old Priya Punia to earn her first ODI cap.
Punia has shown great form in the domestic circuit, and Captain Mithali Raj noted that this is the perfect opportunity for her to prove herself. Meanwhile, Mithali remains a key part of the national setup, focusing on ODIs after retiring from T20s. The captain is looking to maintain her incredible ODI form, having averaged 105.25 in her last nine innings. On the other side, South Africa can take confidence from their dominant 105-run victory in the final T20I of the previous series.
The South African side saw a brilliant start from openers Lizelle Lee (84 off 47) and Sune Luus (62 off 56), who provided a much-needed boost to the team's morale. The addition of seasoned players Marizanne and Trisha Chetty to the ODI squad further strengthens their position. International women's cricket returns to the Reliance Stadium for the first time in nearly 18 months, following the electric atmosphere of the India-Australia series. The Baroda Cricket Association expects another massive turnout, and entry to the matches is free for fans.
The Lineups: India: Mithali Raj (Captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet, Punam Raut, Deepti, Taniya Bhatia, Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, Mansi Joshi, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav, D. Hemalatha, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Priya Punia.
India: Mithali Raj (Capt.), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet, Punam Raut, Deepti, Taniya Bhatia, Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, Mansi Joshi, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav, D. Hemalatha, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Priya Punia.
South Africa: Sune Luus (Captain), Tasmin Brits, Trisha Chetty, Nadine de Klerk, Ismail, Khaka, Lara Goodall, Kapp, Lizelle, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, du Preez, and Laura Wolvaardt.