Confident India Eye ODI Glory After Historic T20I Series Win Over England
Southampton: Buoyed by their maiden T20I series triumph against England, the Indian women’s cricket team will look to maintain momentum as they gear up for a three-match ODI series starting Wednesday.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s side created history by clinching the five-match T20I series 3-2, marking their first-ever series win in the format against England. With the ODI World Cup set to be held at home later this year, the series offers India a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their 50-over game.
India head into the series with confidence, having won their last ODI assignment — the Tri-series involving Sri Lanka and South Africa — in May. Victories in this series would further solidify their preparations and bolster morale ahead of the global event.
Over the past few years, the team has revamped its ODI approach, focusing on consistently crossing the 300-run mark. In the recent Tri-series, India posted scores of 276, 275, 337, and 342 — a clear indicator of their batting intent.
“We’ve been aiming for 300-plus totals in ODIs. It gives our bowlers a cushion to defend,” said skipper Harmanpreet. “Earlier, with limited bowling options, defending low totals was tough. Now, like in the T20Is, our spin-heavy strategy has started paying off.”
Young opener Pratika Rawal continues to hold her place ahead of the experienced Shafali Verma. Rawal shone in the Tri-series, becoming the fastest batter to reach 500 runs in women’s ODIs.
India’s batting looks solid with the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Harleen Deol forming a dependable core. Add Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur’s lower-order hitting, and the lineup packs enough firepower to challenge any bowling attack.
However, the bowling department faces challenges with frontline pacers Titas Sadhu, Renuka Singh, and Pooja Vastrakar ruled out due to injuries. Experienced seamer Arundhati Reddy will lead the pace unit, supported by Kranti Gaud and all-rounders Amanjot Kaur and Sayali Ganesh.
The spin department remains India’s strength, featuring the left-arm duo of Sree Charani and Radha Yadav, alongside seasoned off-spinners Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana.
Meanwhile, England welcome key reinforcements. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt returns after missing the final three T20Is due to a groin injury. Also back is world No.1 ODI bowler Sophie Ecclestone, who returns from a knee injury that sidelined her during the West Indies tour in May.
Squads:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare.
England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith.
Match starts at 5:30 PM IST.
