India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana missed the first ODI against Australia due to sickness as Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat first at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
Meanwhile, spinner Saika Ishaque made her ODI debut in the opening match of the three-game series. In Mandhana's absence, Yastika Bhatia opened the innings with Shafali Verma.
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"Team India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is unwell and hence, was not available for selection for the 1st ODI," BCCI Women wrote on X.
For Australia, pacer Darcie Brown returned from the injury she sustained during the series against West Indies in October.
India are coming off a historic eight-wicket win against Australia in the one-off Test.
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On the eve of the match, Indian women's team head coach Amol Muzumdar said the team will look inwards in the series and try to make improvements where required.
“Yes, they (Australia) are a good team. They have been doing well in the past, but the message is very clear to the team — we would look inwards. We would look to improve on every given opportunity on every single day. If we can do that, I will be happy,” he said.
Teams:
India Women (Playing XI): Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia(w), Richa Ghosh, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Thakur Singh, Saika Ishaque.
Australia Women (Playing XI): Phoebe Litchfield, Alyssa Healy(w/c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.