'Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur are two of the most dangerous batters' - Ellyse Perry ahead of Australia's Women's World Cup clash against India

Australian allrounder Ellyse Perry has said that her team would be wary of dangerous duo of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. To note, team India will take on Australia in the 18th match of 2022 Women’s World Cup, which is to be played in Eden Park, Auckland. However, the Women in Blue will first face the defending champions England on March 16 (Wednesday) at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

India were in a spot of bother in their previous clash against West Indies. However, the experienced duo of Mandhana and Kaur stitched a partnership of 184 runs between them taking Indian score from 78/3 to 262 runs in the 43rd over of the match. Mandhana scored 123 runs, hitting 13 boundaries and two maximums.

Meanwhile, her partner Harmanpreet, who was the key to take India past the 300-mark, also completed her century in the match. The 33-year-old hit 10 fours and two sixes as well. In a heartwarming gesture, Mandhana also shared her player of the match award with Harmanpreet as well. While Perry heaped praises on the duo, she reckons her team will embrace the challenge

India have very strong batting line-up: Ellyse Perry 

“We are constantly aware of the power in the Indian batting line-up. Smriti and Harman are two of the most dangerous batters certainly. Both played Big Bash over the summer in Australia and were very, very good there. I think they both scored hundreds in that tournament; if not, they got very close. I know Smriti did,” Perry was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.

“We have played a lot against one another lately, so it gives us a really great chance to prepare. It’s a very strong batting line-up and I’ve only mentioned two names [Mandhana and Harmanpreet] there. It’s going to be a great challenge for us. I think it has come really at the right time. And I think both teams are in a really good spot. So it should be a great clash,” she added.