Brisbane, February 23 – When India take the field for their first ODI against Australia at the Allan Border Field on Tuesday, their blue jersey will feature one star, symbolizing their historic victory in the ODI World Cup on home soil last year.
Head coach Amol Muzumdar said that the single star carries immense significance for a team still riding high on the momentum of their historic triumph. India enter the match with a 2-1 lead, having also won the T20I series in Australia after 10 years.
"Absolutely, that's what the players strive for. The coaching staff is there to guide the players, and that's our aim – to become world champions. This is the first series after that World Cup victory. It's a very important series. There's no better place than to play in Australia on these grounds," Muzumdar said to reporters on the eve of the match.
The touring party arrived in Australia more than two weeks ago, a deliberate decision that Muzumdar says has paid off. India had also used a similar strategy ahead of their successful white-ball tour of England last year.
"I couldn't have asked for more. In the last 10-15 days, the Indian team has had a perfect start, and I'm really looking forward to the ODIs. It will be a good game. It's very critical, as far as the coaching staff is concerned," he said.
"We observed this last year, when we went to England, we went 10 days before the series started, and then we achieved the desired results in England. So, similarly, going abroad, it's very important to acclimatize and get into the groove as soon as possible," he added.
India have also been strengthened by the return of three players for the ODI series – right-handed batters Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal, both familiar faces in the squad, are back alongside fast-bowling all-rounder Kashvee Gautam.
"I think all three of them have been part of the Indian team before. Kashvee obviously was injured for the last 9-10 months, but Harleen has been a crucial part of this Indian team, as has Pratika. So, we're happy to welcome them back. They are important players, all three of them. A great addition to the squad. It just shows the depth of the Indian women's team right now," he concluded.
