Rodrigues excited ahead of T20 WC opener against Australia

India top-order batswoman Jemimah Rodrigues is raring to go at T20 World Cup starting here on February 21 and feels that opening match against Australia will be one of most important games of her career. Matches between India and Australia have been keenly contested. two teams are coming off tri-nation T20 series finale on Wednesday when Australia won by 11 runs. But, y both had one win each in ir contests in round-robin st and in last edition of World Cup in West Indies, India had got better of Australia in group st.

"I think it will be one of most important games in my career. Playing a World Cup ... first match in Australia and for me first time playing (a World Cup) in Australia. thing is more exciting than India in Australia, so it will be a match we all will be keen to play and just excited," Rodrigues said in a release from ICC.

two teams have some of best batters in ir line-ups. India's Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur have proven records against Australia, while Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy of hosts have enjoyed excellent form in past year especially. Australia fast bowler Megan Schutt was all praise for India opener Mandhana, who top-scored in tri-series with 216 runs at an aver of 43.20.  "Smriti Mandhana is on ar level. She's put me over fence countless times both on international and WBBL level unfortunately. She's got x-factor, she's a left-hander, can hit to all areas of field," Schutt said.

Schutt was also wary of India skipper Harmanpreet, who struck a blazing 171 t out in ICC Women's World Cup 2017 semi-final against Australia.  "(y) have someone like Harmanpreet Kaur come out, who can just swing it like or really, and kind of put you out of stadium. And she's obviously, kind of climbed to fame in World Cup with a huge innings re and I think since n she's also proved that she can do that in or matches."