Losing is one thing, but getting thrashed in one’s own backyard is not only frustrating but also demoralising. Having lost the first two one-day internationals and with it the three-match series, the Indian women will have only their pride at stake when they take on Australia in the third and final ODI at Wankhede Stadium on Friday.

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It has been a series to forget so far for the Women in Blue. Their 221-run loss in the second ODI was India’s biggest ever defeat in terms of runs. Barring a few individuals, the team has failed to come good as a unit.

Harmanpreet Kaur has been the only Indian to have registered a half-century in this series so far while Rumeli Dhar’s six wickets in two games has been the lone bright spot in bowling.

Australia, on the other hand, have played like a well-knit unit with their captain Jodie Fields leading from the front. With the series under their belt, the Aussies will look to go all guns blazing and further enhance their performance ahead of the five-match Twenty20 series starting on March 18 in Visakhapatnam.

Fields, who was the top scorer (64*) in the first ODI , said they are confident of a whitewash. “We have come here to win 3-0. There won’t be any complacency. We will come out here on Friday and we will try to improve on what we have done. We are keen to win 3-0,” she said.

Meanwhile, Anjum Chopra & Co have a tedious task in hand and will be looking to end their four-match losing streak. Also, the last time India beat Australia in a one-dayer was way back in 2009 in Sydney when they won by three wickets in the women’s World Cup third-place playoff. As they say, “If you learn from a loss, you have not lost.” India, too will be looking to change gears and hit form before it is too late.