Jemimah Rodrigues ruled out of remainder of Australia ODI series

India batter Jemimah Rodrigues will not take further part in the ODI series against Australia at home, having been ruled out with a viral fever, with India naming Tejal Hasabnis as the middle-order batter’s replacement for the remaining two encounters.

The development was confirmed by the BCCI before the toss in the second ODI of the three-match series in New Chandigarh. Rodrigues will remain under the supervision of the Indian medical team. Arundhati Reddy replaced Rodrigues in India's XI for the game on Wednesday, September 17.

Rodrigues was a part of India’s XI in their eight-wicket loss in the first ODI on September 14 at the same venue. She contributed 18 off 26 at No. 5 as India managed 281 for 7 before Australia gunned down the target with eight wickets and 35 balls to spare. 

Rodrigues’ absence could not have come at a more inopportune time as the ongoing series is a precursor to the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, which India is set to host alongside Sri Lanka. The event is set to commence from September 30 in Guwahati with India taking on co-hosts Sri Lanka.

As for Hasabnis, the 28-year-old middle-order batter has played six ODIs in her short career thus far, scoring 140 runs at an average of 46.66 and a strike rate of 78.65 with a solitary half-century against Ireland in January. She made her 50-over debut against New Zealand in October last year.

The remaining squad remains unchanged, with Prema Rawat and Priya Mishra being standbys for the series. Meanwhile, Australia currently lead the series 1-0. The third and final fixture will be played on September 20 in Delhi.

India squad for last two ODIs against Australia

Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Goud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Uma Chetry (wk), Tejal Hasabnis

Standby players: Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra