IND Bowl First in ODI Finale, AUS Stick with Unchanged XI

India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, opted to bowl first in Perth’s challenging heat as her team aims for a consolation victory in the final ODI against Australia. After losses in the opening two matches, India made changes to their XI, bringing in pacers Arundhati Reddy and Titas Sadhu to exploit expected pace-friendly conditions at the WACA. 

Opener Priya Punia, sidelined with a knee injury sustained during the second ODI, and leg-spinner Priya Mishra made way for the new inclusions. Harleen Deol has been promoted to open, while Harmanpreet moved up to No.3 in the batting order. 

Australia, already leading the series 2-0, retained their winning combination, with Megan Schutt holding her spot despite speculation of rest. All-rounder Ellyse Perry marked her 150th ODI, a record for Australia’s women in the format. 

Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield are set to continue as openers after stellar performances in the earlier matches, including Litchfield’s century in the second game. 

The WACA pitch promises characteristic pace and bounce, while players contend with temperatures expected to soar to 39 degrees in Perth’s first summer heatwave. India, striving for a turnaround after being outclassed in Brisbane, faces a formidable challenge against an in-form Australian side.

Australia: 1 Phoebe Litchfield, 2 Georgia Voll, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney (wk), 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ash Gardner, 7 Tahlia McGrath (capt), 8 Sophie Molineux, 9 Alana King, 10 Kim Garth, 11 Megan Schutt

India: 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Harleen Deol, 3 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 4 Jemimah Rodrigues, 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Deepti Sharma, 7 Minnu Mani, 8 Saima Thakor, 9 Arundhati Reddy, 10 Titas Sadhu, 11 Renuka Singh