The five-match T20I series between Australia Women and India Women is poised intriguingly at 1-1. At the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, the hosts surged back after the visitors won the first match by nine wickets to win the second T20I by a thrilling Super Over score.

For the remainder of the series, the action moves to Mumbai’s famous Brabourne Stadium. On Wednesday, December 14, the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 finalists will face off in the third Twenty20 International in an effort to improve their preparations for the next major event, which will be held in South Africa in February 2023.

This one, like the majority of T20 competitions, has a lot riding on its matchups and subplots. Let’s take a look at three-player battles that could determine the outcome of Wednesday’s match, as this could take a decisive turn in the third Twenty20 International, given that India needs some of their own to step up and test a number of Australian players.

#1 Megan Schutt vs Smriti Mandhana

We 🔍 for Smriti Mandhana after a ✨ knock but we could only find 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠! 😉

Can @mandhana_smriti 🔁 her heroics and guide #TeamIndia to a 2-1 lead in the 3rd Mastercard #INDvAUS Women's T20I?#BlueKnowsNoGender | Dec 14, 7 PM | Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar pic.twitter.com/1x8shKMJ2t

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 13, 2022

India’s star opening batter takes on Australia’s potent new-ball weapon. This could, in many ways, simply define which side can take the first step and set the terms later.

This is because Smriti Mandhana has been in excellent form with the bat, winning Player of the Match for her 49-ball 79 in the second Twenty20 International. Although Mandhana has lost both games in the series to Annabel Sutherland, one would think that Megan Schutt would do what she does best for Australia to stop the juggernaut early.

The left-handed pitcher usually loses the ball because of her natural angle. Australia may want to try to prevent India’s vice-captain from making another big impact by filling the off-side field with a few slips.

#2 Beth Mooney Vs Deepti Sharma

Australia made a 💥 start but @Deepti_Sharma06 pulls one back for #TeamIndia! 😍

Watch the action from the 2nd Mastercard #INDvAUS T20I, LIVE NOW, only on Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar!#BlueKnowsNoGender pic.twitter.com/EVL2NyKlSs

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 11, 2022

Beth Mooney’s consistency is unwavering. Every time she faces India, the Australian opener typically pushes that to entirely new heights, and it has been no different this time around.

To give you some context, the southpaw has scored 89 and 82 so far in this series and hasn’t been called out. The hosts have looked basically dumbfounded against her and her sidekick Tahlia McGrath and moving beyond them will be critical to their objective.

Deepti Sharma could well be the solution with that in mind. In addition to being adept in the powerplay, Mooney’s nimble off-spinners on either side of the wicket have the potential to test both sides of her blade, which she wields like a magic wand.

Come Wednesday, India will hope that their go-to player can perform against Mooney, who appears to be unstoppable.

#3 Jemimah Rodrigues Vs Alana King

Alana King excited about maiden international India tour pic.twitter.com/YVcRdBvkCp

— sports news (@CricketDeDaNaDa) December 7, 2022

Despite her outstanding performances at the Asia Cup and the Commonwealth Games, Jemimah Rodrigues has not yet ignited the series against Australia. In the crucial third T20I, she will try to make a name for herself in front of her home crowd in Mumbai.

Alana King will be a tough opponent for her. The leg-spinner is really sly an administrator and has accepted a considerably more significant job for the Aussies, with Jess Jonassen precluded inferable from injury.

Rodrigues has an incredibly capable game against the turn and ought to appreciate confronting it on what is generally anticipated to be a decent batting track at the Brabourne Arena. However, King’s calculated approach to the ball won’t make it any easier, making this an intriguing matchup.