Significant challenges await Harmanpreet Kaur and her team following Australia's clean sweep over India in the recent ODI series held on Australian soil. India has yet to secure a victory in a bilateral ODI series in Australia, a feat made increasingly difficult by Australia's strong performance at home.

India's most recent tour of Australia occurred in September 2021, which included three ODIs, a day-night Test, and three T20Is. During that series, India showcased a more competitive spirit, narrowly losing the first two ODIs in thrilling finishes before claiming victory in the third.

In contrast, this series saw India thoroughly outperformed, suffering defeats in the first ODI by 5 wickets, the second by 122 runs, and the third by 83 runs. The team changed due to form issues and injuries, yet the series has highlighted significant weaknesses.

The batting lineup features at least four players with considerable experience in the conditions, owing to their participation in international matches and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Expectations were particularly high for Smriti Mandhana, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma, as noted by former India captain and commentator Anjum Chopra.

“I was not particularly impressed. Some of them have recently played in Australia for the WBBL. Yet, they are consistently scoring in the 20s, 30s, or 40s. Their targets appear to be quite modest,” she remarked.

While there was a noticeable improvement from the first ODI, where India lost by five wickets, the necessary aggression was lacking in the second ODI while chasing a daunting target of 371—India's highest ever in ODIs. In the third ODI, although Mandhana's century initially set a positive tone, a dramatic collapse ensued, resulting in the loss of 7 wickets for just 26 runs.

In the final two ODIs, India attempted a different strategy by promoting Richa Ghosh to open the batting after Priya Punia struggled to find her rhythm in the first match.

Ghosh scored 54 runs in the first ODI; however, the batting lineup demonstrated a lack of urgency required for the substantial chase. Frequent wickets hindered the team's momentum, resulting in India being dismissed for 249 runs in 44.5 overs. A similar trend was observed during the third ODI, where Mandhana struggled to receive adequate support from her fellow batters.

"This team requires additional all-rounders. The top five players do not bowl, and the bottom five, except Deepti, do not bat. It is unreasonable in the current era to maintain such a squad composition."

Aside from the injured Pooja Vastrakar, Chopra believes that seam-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur possesses the necessary skills, but her inclusion in the playing eleven depends on her fitness level.

"We had to field Minnu Mani instead of Titas Sadhu because Minnu is capable of both batting and completing her ten overs," she explained.

While India's batting has been identified as a weak point, their pace bowling and fielding have also been inconsistent. In contrast, Australian pacers Meghan Schutt and Annabel Sutherland excelled. Although Renuka Thakur achieved figures of 3/45 in the first ODI, Saima Thakor impressed with 3/62 in the second ODI, and Arundhati Reddy delivered an outstanding performance with 4/26 in the third ODI.

For the past 35 years, there has been a consistent narrative regarding improvements in fitness and fielding standards; however, the progress remains insufficient. Additionally, the team lacks genuine fast bowlers. Thakur's pace has significantly diminished since her debut. In contrast, Titas Sadhu (0/27 in the 1st ODI, 0/65 in the 3rd ODI) possesses greater speed, which is why she was given a chance, yet she failed to capitalize on it.

In a well-structured cricket environment, players are afforded ample opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities. However, with limited international exposure and domestic competition, it is imperative that any opportunity presented is seized decisively by the management.

Chopra thinks that wicket-keeper batter Uma Chetry is a player who can fully utilize such opportunities. The Assam batter ranked as the second-highest scorer in the domestic Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy, accumulating 231 runs at a strike rate of 154, including the tournament's sole century – 122 runs off 71 balls.

Chetry also possesses some familiarity with the playing conditions, having participated in the India A tour of Australia in August, although her performances were rather modest.

“Chetry should have been included in the playing XI. She is an outstanding wicket-keeper, as briefly demonstrated against South Africa, and she is capable of batting at the top of the order,” stated Chopra.

The group-stage elimination at the T20 World Cup has already sparked concerns regarding the squad's composition. With opener Shefali Verma omitted from the ODIs, senior players struggling to achieve significant contributions, the absence of all-rounders, and pacers lacking consistency, the team, under the guidance of Amol Muzumdar, has numerous issues to address ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup on home soil.

Upon their return, India will face the West Indies at home in a series of three T20Is, followed by an equal number of ODIs.

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