In a massive development, India Women have received a massive setback in their ongoing three-match ODI series against Australia Women in New Chandigarh, as Jemimah Rodrigues has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to viral fever. The BCCI also confirmed that the medical team is closely monitoring her recovery, while the Women's Selection Committee has named Tejal Hasabnis as the replacement for the senior batter.
Hasabnis, a promising batter from Maharashtra, made her international debut in last year's ODI series against New Zealand. Since then, the right-hand batter has played six ODIs for the national side, with her last appearance coming in the ODI against Ireland. The 28-year-old was also part of the India A squad that recently toured Down Under, and has also been included in the standby players list for the ongoing ODI series against Australia, & the ICC Women's ODI World Cup.
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Rodrigues' unavailability, Hasabnis finds her way back into the Indian team in the middle-order, a role where she predominantly plays for Maharashtra and India. The batter has a golden opportunity to perform well and stake a claim in the national side.
Rodrigues' setback another blow for India after Yastika Bhatia's injury
Notably, Rodrigues being sidelined is the second major blow for India, as already keeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been ruled out of the series due to a knee injury. These setbacks have left hosts India in a spot of bother as they aim to fix the combinations for the 50-over World Cup. Worst, they were also comprehensively beaten by Australia in the first ODI by eight wickets, which left several questions to be answered.
With only two ODIs to go ahead of the showpiece event, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur would be keen to tick the majority of the boxes and aim to fix chinks. Fielding was a major letdown in the first ODI, and that is the one area the hosts would be keen to show major improvements. Catches often win matches, and India needs to be razor sharp on the field during World Cup games.
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