Mumbai

Ashleigh Gardner, Australia’s star all-rounder, has hailed India’s women’s cricket team as a formidable force, saying they will be “very hard to beat” over the next five to ten years. The remark comes after India’s triumph in the Women’s ODI World Cup, where they defeated Australia in the semifinals.

Gardner, who will be playing for Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) from January 9, praised Harmanpreet Kaur, Renuka Singh Thakur, and the Indian squad’s rapid rise in performance. “It’s an exciting prospect, it’s scary as an Australian, but the game is growing rapidly, and it’s fantastic to see,” she said.

Despite acknowledging India’s growth, Gardner reaffirmed Australia’s status as the world’s best women’s team. “If we played any team ten times in a row, we’d probably win eight or nine times,” she said, noting the challenge posed by India’s skill and depth.

Gardner also emphasized the strength of her Gujarat Giants squad, pointing to experienced overseas players like Beth Mooney, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and Sophie Devine. She highlighted having Indian seamer Renuka Singh in the team as a key asset.

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Renuka Singh added that the Indian players remain focused on maintaining the high standards set after the World Cup, with the upcoming T20 World Cup in England as their next target.