2nd ODI: Vaishnavi Makes ODI Debut as India Bat First Against Australia; Molineux Ruled Out

Hobart: India won the toss and chose to bat first against Australia in the second ODI at the Bellerive Oval on Friday. The multi-format contest remains locked at 4–4 after Australia claimed the opening ODI at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane.

India rested Shafali Verma and Renuka Singh Thakur, bringing in Amanjot Kaur, while left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma was handed her ODI debut to strengthen the bowling attack.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur—who won her fifth consecutive ODI toss—confirmed she was fit to play after missing India’s entire fielding stint in Brisbane due to a left knee niggle. “I’m fine now. While playing, I just felt a niggle in my left knee,” she said.

Australia made one change, drafting in Hobart-based Nicola Carey for Sophie Molineux, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the series with a lower back injury. Cricket Australia stated that Molineux will be monitored ahead of Australia’s tour of the West Indies next month.

The setback is a concern for Australia, with Molineux set to take over as full-time captain across formats during the West Indies tour. Australian skipper Alyssa Healy said the conditions could aid the bowlers early. “Getting first use of the ball on a wicket with a bit of live grass might help us. If we execute well, we can restrict them—this isn’t an easy venue to defend totals,” she noted.

Playing XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, N Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma

Australia: Alyssa Healy (captain), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

With inputs from IANS