The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced that the India women's cricket team will wear a special pink jersey for their third ODI against Australia at the Arun Jaitley stadium on September 20. This initiative, a partnership with SBI Life, is aimed at raising awareness for breast cancer. To support the cause, the Indian women players were spotted donning the pink jersey on the match day.
India women's team wear pink jersey in 3rd ODI against Australia
“Everyday we train for uncertainties, and this jersey is a reminder for you to be prepared. Let’s make breast self-examination a monthly routine and take a stand against breast cancer,” captain Harmanpreet Kaur said a video message released by the BCCI.
“This pink jersey is more than just a symbol. It is a call to build a life-saving habit. Together, let’s fight against breast cancer and give ourselves a hug of life,” Sneh Rana said.
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The Indian men's cricket team has also worn special kits and caps in the past to promote various causes and pay tribute. In 2016, for an ODI match against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam, players wore jerseys with their mothers' names on the back. A few years later, in 2019, they sported camouflage caps during an ODI against Australia in Ranchi to honor the Indian armed forces martyrs from the Pulwama terrorist attack.
The Indian women's team will be hoping to secure a victory to celebrate this special occasion. The series is currently tied at 1-1 and serves as the final dress rehearsal before the ODI World Cup, which is set to begin later this month.
Talking about the third ODI, after winning the toss, Australia's captain Alyssa Healy chose to bat first, a decision that was likely easy to make. With hot weather and an opportunity to post a large total in the final, it was an ideal scenario for her team. For their part, India decided to field an unchanged starting lineup for the crucial match.
India captain Harmanpreet, after losing the toss, said:
"We talk about playing good cricket, doesn't matter what we do first or second. Playing our best cricket, that is something that always keeps us in the game. Want to go in with the same positive mindset today. Same XI for us."
Meanwhile, Australia skipper Alyssa Healy, after winning the toss, said:
"Going to have a bat today. Let them run around in the heat today and see how they go. Had a bad day which doesn't define us as a group. We know what we need to do. Need to create more pressure for longer periods of time. Just adapting quickly to different conditions is going to be important. Start times will be a little different (in the WC). Two changes."
Australia Women (Playing XI):
Alyssa Healy(w/c), Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Grace Harris, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt
India Women (Playing XI):
Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(w), Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur