Mithali Raj believes India can defeat the Australian women’s team in the upcoming semi-final if they stay calm and play with intent. For years, Australia has been the standard of women’s cricket dominance, winning title after title. Yet, Mithali feels the gap is narrowing fast. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has allowed Indian players to share dressing rooms with elite Australians, helping them understand their mindset and approach. That familiarity, she says, could make the difference in Navi Mumbai.
She insists that this Indian side, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, must not get overwhelmed by the stage. The focus should stay on basics — partnerships, awareness, and composure. Mithali highlights that Australia relies heavily on strong starts from Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield, but their middle order has shown signs of weakness. That gives India a real chance, provided they seize the critical moments that often decide knockout games.
With bowlers like Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma in rhythm, and openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal firing, India can create early pressure. Raj believes confidence and adaptability will matter more than reputation. “Australia has much to lose,” she says. “India must play fearless and free.” Her words reflect belief — that on the right day, with clarity and courage, this young Indian team can topple the so-called unbeatable champions.
How Mithali Raj Sees the Fear Factor Changing Against Australia?
For years, Australia’s women’s cricket team carried an aura of invincibility. Mithali Raj admits that earlier, Indian players often entered such games already feeling second-best. But the rise of the WPL has broken barriers of intimidation.
Indian cricketers now share space, tactics, and training with the Australians. That personal exposure, Raj says, has humanized the opposition. It helps players realize that those stars are also human — capable of mistakes, pressure, and bad days.
Raj believes this emotional shift is crucial before a knockout clash. When you have already faced them as teammates in franchise leagues, you no longer feel they’re untouchable. The respect remains, but the fear fades.
According to Mithali, India’s young group has already shown this mindset in recent bilateral series, where they pushed Australia close and even won matches. Those games, she feels, have planted the belief that Australia can indeed be beaten.
The real test, she adds, is not skill but composure. “The occasion cannot scare you,” Mithali says. “Once you’re on the ground, it’s about execution.” That’s what India must remember on Thursday. Facing Australia isn’t about reputation — it’s about who holds nerve when pressure peaks.
WPL Exposure Has Made India Mentally Stronger
According to Mithali, WPL exposure has transformed how Indian players think and prepare. When you train with players like Beth Mooney or Ash Gardner, you learn their mindset. You notice how they plan multiple scenarios, how quickly they read conditions, and how disciplined they stay during pressure phases.
This understanding, Raj explains, allows Indian cricketers to adapt faster. They now approach matches with multiple backup plans, something Australia has long mastered. Playing alongside global talent has built confidence, especially for India’s youngsters. Mithali feels this has narrowed the mental gap that once existed.
The challenge now is maintaining that clarity under knockout tension. The team must treat the semi-final as just another contest. Mental calmness, she stresses, will be India’s strongest weapon — not fear or hesitation, against Indians.
India’s Ideal Balance for the Semi-Final Clash
Raj believes India’s strength lies in their batting depth and all-round options. The big question is whether to include an extra bowler like Amanjot Kaur or retain another batter for security. She feels India should stick to their most confident combination — one that gives balance and belief. The psychological comfort of an extra batter can be crucial, especially against a bowling-heavy side like Australia.
The likely plan, according to her, could involve three seamers and two spinners, with Harmanpreet herself providing backup overs. On the other hand, if India wants to apply spin pressure in the middle overs, they could go for three spinners. Either way, the key is early breakthroughs. Getting Healy or Litchfield early could open the game up. Australia relies heavily on its top order to set the tempo. If India restricts them early, the middle order can be tested.
Raj also highlighted the importance of using Renuka Singh smartly — finishing her overs early or saving a few for the death. Small tactical calls like these could shift momentum in India’s favor.
India Must Stick to Their Trusted Template
Mithali believes the formula that worked earlier — bat first and post 300-plus — should remain unchanged. When India has batted first this year, they’ve controlled most games. Against Australia, that early scoreboard pressure could prove decisive.
She says the players must trust their instincts, not the noise. Whether they go with an extra batter or bowler, confidence in selection is vital. “You play better when you back yourself,” Raj explains. Self-belief is the difference between aggression and panic.
Even if early wickets fall, depth through Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma provides insurance. If India scores big, they can then dictate terms with their bowlers.
Why Mithali Thinks Australia Is ‘Less Invincible’ Now?
The former captain feels this is not the unbeatable Australia of old. Their top order has stumbled more than once, and their middle order has looked fragile under pressure. Teams with sharp bowling and good fielding have managed to expose these weaknesses.
Raj points out that Australia’s aura works only if opponents let it. Once you challenge them hard, they too show nerves. That’s why India must pounce when momentum swings their way. It’s not enough to dominate briefly — you must sustain pressure for long periods. She recalls how India nearly beat them in Delhi earlier this year, chasing over 300 runs. That memory, she says, should fuel belief.
If Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal provide a steady start, Australia will feel the heat. They know India’s openers can shift games quickly. With the home crowd behind them, India’s young attack must then seize those breakthrough moments.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Leadership Under the Spotlight
Mithali Raj believes this semi-final will test Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy. Her bowling changes, field placements, and calmness will decide India’s rhythm. Fielding intensity and catching will also matter — especially since small errors against Australia often prove costly.
Raj says the players must focus on game awareness — reading shifts in momentum and reacting quickly. “You can’t blink,” she warns. Australia thrive on capitalizing when opponents relax. Staying alert and aware of match flow could turn tight situations India’s way. The message from Mithali is simple: “You have nothing to lose; play brave and free.”
Conclusion
Mithali Raj’s message to the Indian women’s team is clear — don’t let pressure win. Australia may be seasoned, but they’re not unbeatable. The Indian women’s cricket team has the talent, fitness, and form to challenge them head-on. What they need most is composure. Raj emphasizes that mental strength often decides big games more than skill. The ability to stay calm when situations swing matters most.
She believes India’s recent exposure through WPL and bilateral series has removed much of the old fear. They’ve learned how Australians think, how they adapt, and how to counter their style. This knowledge gives them a new edge. Mithali’s gut feeling says the match will be tight, but India can push Australia all the way.
If Harmanpreet’s team can maintain focus and pick key moments, victory is possible. The semi-final is not about who has more stars — it’s about who holds nerve when pressure peaks. India, playing at home, must see it not as a burden but as motivation.
Raj ends with quiet confidence: “You’ve already made it to the semi-final. Just play your best game today.” For India, that mindset could be the difference between heartbreak and history.
