Australia vs India, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, Final, Melbourne: Preview, likely XI, prediction

History is within grasp. India and Australia will both be vying for it when they take each other on in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. A crowd close to capacity is expected at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It’s International Women’s Day. It will be a seminal moment in the history of the sport, and especially in the women’s game.

And Australia are once again favourites. They’re the leading side in the world, but had to take a bit of a tumble on the way to the final, losing to India in the tournament opener, and then needing some assistance from rain in the semi-final to make it through. Had that match been rained out, like the first semi-final, it would be South Africa taking their place on this stage.

However, there is romance in Australia progressing. It’s a home world cup, and what greater aspiration can there be for these players than to win a glorious trophy in front of their adoring home fans? It’ll be a historic fifth T20 title for Australia, and chances are, after all that’s happened, their experience will help them trump the crunch moments and lift the trophy.

India, however, have had something about them this year. Unlike the last edition, which a campaign shrouded in controversy, India this time around have been a calmer, more joyous outfit.

There has been fire at the top from Shafali Verma and, to a lesser extent, Smriti Mandhana, the bowlers have been characterised by that low-flying spin, and all in all, they will have the confidence gained from the tournament opener, when they shocked Australia, and indeed the world.

However, the stakes are different now. A trophy is there to lose. It’s India’s first T20 World Cup final. It’s a young side, although some among them will be familiar with the heartbreak of 2017. Victory would spark elation similar to the men’s 2011 World Cup triumph. The sport could be elevated in its most populous country. A defeat, however, could leave the side shattered.

This is too hard to call. But it’ll be a thriller, that’s for sure.

Head to head

There have been eight T20Is between these sides over the years. The honours are even, with four wins each. Whoever gets the fifth win will be delighted.

Key players

Alyssa Healy (Australia): Be it setting a target or chasing it down, Healy’s knock will be crucial. If the Indians can get her scalp early, there will be belief in the squad. If she squares off and makes runs, India will have to battle the nerves. It could go either way.

Harmanpreet Kaur (India): India’s chief problem this tournament has been runs from the middle order – it’s been negligible. Kaur’s form hasn’t helped, and in the worst-case scenario that the top-order are snuffed out early, Kaur will need to step up. The stakes are at its highest, and the team will look to their captain.

Likely XIs

Australia: Beth Mooney, Alyssa Healy (wk), Meg Lanning (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Jess Jonassen, Nicola Carey, Delissa Kimmince, Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux, Megan Schutt

India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Taniya Bhatiya (wk), Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

Prediction Australia’s experience in tournament finals to come good as they win a dream home World Cup.