Despite having an upper hand over India in the recent past, Australia skipper Meg Lanning believes her team will not go into the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final against the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side with a psychological edge.
Australia and India will square off for a place in the World Cup final at Newlands, Cape Town on Thursday (February 23).
In December 2022, Australia defeated India in their own den 4-1 in the five-match T20I series. Last year, Meg Lanning and company won the Gold medal in Commonwealth Games by beating the Women in Blue in the final. During the 2020 edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, Australia had thrashed India in the final at MCG to lift the coveted trophy.
"I don't think so (Australia will have a psychological advantage)," said Lanning on the eve of the semi-final.
"Both teams start at the same level tomorrow when we come out and play. What's happened in the past doesn't make a difference. We need to come out and play our best cricket and play the way that we want to.
"And in India, we look to do the same. So, as I said, it's going to be an incredible game, two world-class teams going at it. And it's about putting out your best performance on the day," she added.
The captain further said beating India in the five-match series last December in Mumbai doesn't make Australia firm favourites.
"I'm not sure (Australia are favourites), to be honest. We obviously both know each other very well. They're (India) an incredible side. They've got some match winners and world-class players and it's going to be a cracking game.
"Obviously, we came here to be part of a game like this and we're expecting to have to play at our best to win. And that's something that I know this group is up for and we're certainly very much looking forward to it."
She also acknowledged that India have a strong group which bats deep and is able to deliver in showpiece tournaments.
"I think that they've shown that they're not relying on one or two players. They've got some great depth as well. So, for us as a team, we've had to prepare for all their players to do well.
"And I think when you get to that point as a squad, you know you're going to be in most games because T20 cricket, some things work out, some things don't. And sometimes it's not going to be your day.
"But as long as someone steps up, then that's the most important thing. And that's what they've shown to be able to do.
"They've really created that real strong group of players who have played a lot of cricket together now. And they're able to deliver. So, we know they're strong. And that sort of just makes the challenge even greater and something we look forward to."
In particular, Meg Lanning is wary about India's spin bowling, which has a lot of variety.
"They (India) obviously bowl a lot of spin with the ball. And they've got some good variety within their attack as well. So that just sort of keeps you on your game as a batter, making sure you're adapting really quickly.
"And I just think that they're overall match winners. You know, they've got players who can take the game away from you very quickly in the space of a number of overs. So we're very aware of that and we'll look to try and counter that as much as we can."
(With PTI Inputs)
