Healy wary of India’s rise ahead of Women’s World Cup 2025
As the countdown to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 begins, the excitement is building, and one of the biggest rivalries in women’s cricket is already underway. India and Australia are locking horns in a three-match ODI series, starting in Mullanpur, and this contest is being seen as the perfect preparation for both teams ahead of the big tournament later this month.
Australian skipper Alyssa Healy has made it clear that India will not be underestimated. She acknowledged that the home side, with its growing stability and recent strong performances, has become a genuine force in world cricket. Healy admitted that India, given their familiarity with the conditions and their recent run of form, could be considered red-hot favorites heading into the World Cup. She highlighted that this was perhaps the most settled Indian team she had ever seen, pointing to their successful tour of England as evidence of their new-found consistency.
Also Read:At the same time, Healy expressed confidence in her own squad, emphasizing the depth of talent in Australia’s group of 15 players. For the Australians, this series is not just about competition but also about regaining rhythm as a team, since it is their first ODI outing since January. She also mentioned the possibility of player rotation to manage workloads, with the World Cup schedule in mind. Healy herself is returning to international cricket after an injury break, and she sounded upbeat about her recovery, crediting her recent games with Australia ‘A’ for giving her the confidence to get back into full swing.
The rivalry between India and Australia, according to Healy, has only intensified in recent years. She acknowledged how much the Indian side relishes beating Australia, especially on home soil, and predicted a hard-fought, exciting series that would set the tone for the World Cup.
On the Indian side, there was equally positive news. Head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed that pace spearhead Renuka Singh is fit again after being sidelined with a stress fracture during the Women’s Premier League earlier this year. Muzumdar described Renuka as the leader of India’s pace attack and emphasized her importance in India’s World Cup campaign. He also insisted that while Australia has long been the dominant side in women’s cricket, India’s focus remains firmly on their own preparation and execution.
With India’s camp in full swing and Australia eager to rediscover their rhythm, this ODI series is shaping up as more than just a warm-up. It is a glimpse into what fans can expect at the World Cup—intensity, rivalry, and the possibility of a new power shift in women’s cricket. India and Australia will meet again on October 12 in Visakhapatnam during the World Cup, but for now, all eyes are on how these early battles unfold.
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