The conquest for the World Cup intensifies, as the league stage reaches midway. In Match No. 18, Team India will face unvanquished Australia on March 19, 2022. The match will be played in Eden Park, Auckland from 6:30 AM IST.
The Women In Blue are on a roller-coaster ride with 2 wins and 2 defeats to their name. A comprehensive win against arch-rivals Pakistan, a humiliating defeat in the hands of hosts New Zealand, a stunning fightback against Windies followed by a crushing defeat against defending champions England – it’s been a mixed bag so far. Since batting woes have hurt the team’s chances majorly, skipper Mithali Raj will surely hope for more consistency from the batters. Currently placed at No. 3 on the points table, Team India is upbeat to clinch their maiden World Cup Trophy.
The 6-times WC winners Australia are once again the firm favorites in the tournament. The Aussies have been invincible so far, with 4 wins in a trot without a single defeat. Meg Lanning and her troops have outclassed the opposition each time they have stepped on the field. They at present, comfortably sit at the top of the points table and are strong contenders for their record 7th title.
Match Details
| Date : | Saturday, March 19, 2022 |
| Time : | 06: 30 AM IST (02: 00 PM LOCAL) |
| Venue : | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Where To Watch : | Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar |
pitch Report
The clash between India and Australia the first match of World Cup 2022 played in Eden Park. The track assists the batters and the par score is around 200. Being a drop-in pitch, the ball comes late to the bat and tends to travel slowly. Pacers will have to grind away while spinners might get more productive as the game progresses. Opting to bat first is preferred by captains in Auckland.
Weather Forecast
The weather report predicts light rain with partly cloudy skies. The temperature will be around 18°C and humidity of about 73%.
Read Also: IPL 2022 All Teams: List of all teams participating in Indian Premier League 2022
IND-W Vs AUS-W: Dream 11 Top Picks
Rachael Haynes
The Australia southpaw is in sublime touch as she leads the chart of highest run-scorers of the tournament with 277 runs. At an average of over 90, the opener has hit 1 century and 2 fifties so far. Her wicket will be crucial for opposition bowlers as if Haynes gets settled, she will ensure that Australia puts up a mammoth total.
Harmanpreet Kaur
The last time these two sides clashed in a World Cup encounter, Harmanpreet Kaur wreaked carnage on the mighty Australians. In the semi-finals of WC 2017, Kaur smashed an unforgettable knock of 171*, single-handedly outplaying the Aussies. India’s star middle-order batter is in blistering form this time as well, and her century against the Windies is a testament to it. Fans will expect another Harmanpreet Kaur special when Team India locks horns against Meg Lanning’s cohort.
Smriti Mandhana
Opener Smriti Mandhana too will be one of the top players to watch out for in the high voltage face-off. The swashbuckling left-hander has amassed 216 runs at an average of 54 with a hundred in 4 matches. She will look forward to giving Team India a decisive start with the bat and ensuring that batting collapses are prevented.
Meg Lanning
The charismatic leader of Australia, Lanning has been superb with the bat as well. Behind Haynes, the skipper is Australia’s second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 126 runs in 4 matches. Her aim will be to steer her side to another victory and let Australia’s golden run in World Cups continue.
Dream 11 Fantasy Team 1 For IND-W Vs AUS-W
Wicket-keepers: Richa Ghosh
Batters: Meg Lanning, Harmanpreet Kaur, Rachael Haynes, Smriti Mandhana
All-rounders: Ellyse Perry
Bowlers: Jess Jonassen, Poonam Yadav, Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
IND-W Vs AUS-W: Dream11 Captain & Vice-Captain Choice For Match No. 18
Captain: Rachael Haynes
Vice-Captain: Smriti Mandhana
Dream 11 Fantasy Team 2 For IND-W Vs AUS-W
Wicket-keepers: Richa Ghosh
Batters: Meg Lanning, Harmanpreet Kaur, Beth Mooney, Rachael Haynes, Smriti Mandhana
All-rounders: Sneh Rana
Bowlers: Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Jhulan Goswami, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
IND-W Vs AUS-W: Dream11 Captain & Vice-Captain Choice For Match No. 18
Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur
Vice-Captain: Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Read Also: How much Salary do Indian Women’s Cricket Team Players get?
Probable XI For IND-W Vs AUS-W
India Women : Mithali Raj (c), Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Australia Women : Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy (wk), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt
Who Will Win?- Author’s Match Prediction
With 4 successive wins in their campaign, Australia will definitely have an edge over the Women In Blue. Since every match result is dynamically affecting the league standings, Team India will be desperate to come back to winning ways. Mithali Raj and co. might go into the match as underdogs, a feisty fightback can surely turn the tables over.
