Sydney, February 14 The Indian women's team will begin a crucial phase of its preparation for the 20-over World Cup later this year when it faces Australia in the first T20 International here on Sunday.
India is touring Australia for a multi-format series, featuring three T20Is and as many ODIs, in addition to a single Test (D/N) on March 6 in Perth.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian side will play its first away series since winning the 50-over World Cup, touring six different cities in Australia.
The first T20I will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, followed by matches at Manuka Oval in Canberra, and the Adelaide Oval for the second and third matches, respectively.
This series will be India's first T20 engagement of the year. India enters the series as world No. 3, with hosts Australia sitting at No. 1 in the ICC women's T20I team rankings.
The Indian team will aim to build on their momentum after winning their first-ever ICC trophy in the form of the 50-over World Cup, and captain Harmanpreet is well aware of the importance of the series.
"We know that Australia is a very strong team, and they have been playing really good cricket for a long time. One thing is clear: whenever you go with a great mindset and a positive approach, you can give your best. So our goal would be to bring out our best and play the best cricket," said the India captain on the eve of the match.
"We are really working hard to achieve all our targets, including the ODI World Cup.
"Before the T20 World Cup, every series is important for us. This series is very important for both teams," she added.
India has retained most of its 50-over World Cup-winning stars, including Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma. They have also included some new names in the squad, such as Vaishnavi Sharma and Sree Charani, thanks to their strong performances in the Women's Premier League, as well as recalling Shreyanka Patil and Bharti Fulmali.
India had a disappointing performance in the last two editions of the T20 World Cup due to a lack of power-hitting strength in the death overs, but Fulmali and Ghosh will provide much-needed impetus in that area.
"The WPL has really played a big role in improving women's cricket, and it's great to see everyone performing well. The conditions are very different from back home, but these conditions always suit us," said Harmanpreet.
The captain said the ODI World Cup success will give India the confidence they need going into the tour.
"That was a different format, and T20 is a different format. But being world champions always gives a lot of confidence. Every time you step onto the ground, you have to start from scratch. It's a different game, and we are really looking forward to it."
"Playing T20 is something we enjoy as a team. Playing against Australia is always fun, and we are really looking forward to it."
Harmanpreet is also excited about featuring in the lone pink ball Test against Australia in Perth, starting on March 6.
"I have played a lot of cricket here, and I always enjoy playing in Australia. It has one of the best cricketing cultures we have seen," she said.
"Playing T20s and ODIs is always great, but playing a Test match is something we always want to do, and the pink ball Test is going to be really exciting."
Australia, on the other hand, will be desperate to prove their point after being eliminated by India in the semifinals of last year's ODI World Cup.
The series also holds great significance for one of Australia's greatest female cricketers, Alyssa Healy, who will bid farewell to the game after this.
The veteran wicketkeeper-batter had announced her retirement last month and will be representing her country for the final time during the three ODIs and lone Test against India.
Sophie Molineux, the new multi-format captain, will lead Australia for the first time in the T20Is against India.
A notable omission for Australia is leg-spinner Alana King, who has been dropped.
The Teams (from):
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Arundhati Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Shreyanka Patil.
Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
Match starts at 1:45pm.