Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh said that Australia and Sri Lanka will be the tough challenge for Harmanpreet Kaur-led India in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. The marquee event is scheduled to start from October 4 in UAE. India are in Group A along with Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand.
Harbhajan suggested team India to be careful against Australia. India will start their campaign against New Zealand on October 4. Indian women's cricket team will face arch-rivals Pakistan on October 6. India vs Australia clash will be played on October 13.
"I think India needs to be very careful when playing against Australia. Looking at this group, India has Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. But one match that I think will be a little tough is the India-Australia match," Harbhajan told Star Sports.
"Australia is a good team, even though these matches are being played in Dubai, on subcontinent pitches that might not suit them as much as their home conditions. But Australia, no matter where they play, are hard to beat. So, the biggest challenge for India may be Australia," he said.
Australia women have defeated India women 23 times in their 32 T20Is outings. India managed to win just seven matches.
However, the 44-year-old warned India of another potential hazard on its way – Sri Lanka.
The Islanders had recently trumped India in the Asia Cup final with Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama producing match-winning efforts.
"Sri Lanka, too, after their recent series win against India, will be confident when they play against India. So, that will also be a good contest."
But Harbhajan had little doubts that India have the skill sets to land their maiden ICC title.
"Team India will be the team to beat in this tournament. They have both experience and youth. Harman (captain Harmanpreet Kaur) is in good form, Smriti (Mandhana) is in good form, and Deepti (Sharma) is an unbelievable spinner.
"They are a very capable team and have been playing very good cricket. The unit looks solid. If India plays good cricket overall, I believe they will win this tournament,” he noted.
