IN-W vs AU-W 1st ODI: Why is Smriti Mandhana not playing today?

India’s opening clash against Australia in the first ODI brought a noticeable absence from the Indian lineup—vice-captain and opener Smriti Mandhana. Her unavailability was due to an unexpected bout of illness, sidelining her from contention for selection in the playing XI.

India XI

Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Saika Ishaque, Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar.

Australia XI

Phoebe Litchfield, Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

The Indian squad saw another alteration as left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque made her ODI debut. This marked a significant milestone in her cricketing journey, contributing to the team’s bowling arsenal.

Mandhana’s absence due to illness underscores the unpredictability of sporting events, where unforeseen circumstances can affect team compositions and strategies. However, her teammates stepped up to fill the gap, showcasing the adaptability and depth within the Indian squad.