Their victory in the third and final ODI versus Australia came at the right time for India women with not much time left for the World Cup, scheduled to begin on March 4 next year in New Zealand.

Also, barely two days remain for the one-off Test against the Aussies, which will be a Day-Night affair with the pink ball commencing on Thursday at Carrara Oval on the Pacific Gold Coast.

To be fair to the Mithali Raj-led team, their overall performance in the three-ODI series in Mackay was impressive as with a bit of luck, they could have won the second game as well. India lost the match off the last ball, with a contentious no-ball call making matters easier for Australia.

However, finishing the ODIs on a good note does reflect that women’s cricket in India is on the right track, particularly as they fought hard even without senior pro Harmanpreet Kaur, one of the key players of the white-ball team.

Jhulan Goswami. File photo

“The batters did quite well in the series even without Harmanpreet, and I think that’s a big thing,” said former India women’s head coach Tushar Arothe.

“Batting has always been the main strength of the women’s team. That they fared well even without Harmanpreet shows the team is no longer dependent on her as others are there now to stand up and be counted, which augurs really well before the World Cup,” he added.

The recent performances should also instil greater confidence in the Indian team as they go into their maiden D-N Test, where the veteran Jhulan Goswami is expected to play a leading role with the ball, feels all-rounder Rumeli Dhar, who last donned India colours back in March 2018.

Smriti Mandhana. File photo

“What counts is the confidence this Indian team has gained from the last two ODIs and it’s this confidence that they will be going in with in the one-off Test,” 37-year-old Rumeli, who appeared in four Tests, 78 ODIs and 18 T20Is, told The Telegraph on Monday.

“Yes, the pink ball is new to this team and on the first day of the Test, the twilight period could be a factor. But that will affect both sides, not just India.

“Overall, it’s going to be a very good experience and exposure for the India women cricketers, and I believe they will do well,” Rumeli said.

On the influence of Jhulan, Rumeli added: “In every second of almost every game, she’s proving her worth.

“In this Test, I think her bowling mainly will be of good help for the other bowlers, especially those who’ll bowl in tandem with her. Her words should be their guiding force and it’s something they can try and execute even in the World Cup.”

Stints in T20 leagues

The stints in the Women’s Big Bash League and The Hundred that some of the women cricketers have had so far should help going forward. Opener Smriti Mandhana, who has played for Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes in the past, will represent Sydney Thunder this season along with all-rounder Deepti Sharma, for whom this would be her maiden WBBL that begins on October 14.

Mandhana and Deepti had also featured in the inaugural edition of The Hundred, playing for Southern Brave and London Spirit, respectively.

Mandhana’s opening partner, Shafali Verma, too, was a part of The Hundred (for Birmingham Phoenix) and will turn out for Sydney Sixers in this WBBL season alongside left-arm spinner Radha Yadav.

Even Siliguri girl Richa Ghosh, who will turn 18 on Tuesday, may make her WBBL debut this year as she has been roped in by Hobart Hurricanes.