There was barely time for India to catch their breath, let alone lick their wounds, after Nadine de Klerk’s magical knock snapped their unbeaten run in the Women's World Cup at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam just days ago. And now, like a marquee clash you'd rather postpone, defending champions Australia await on Sunday — armed, confident, and very much watching.

Naturally, all 15,087 tickets have been sold — because when India play Australia, especially on a Sunday, the calendar clears itself.

Thursday’s emotional rollercoaster against South Africa — a match that tugged at nerves and scorecards in equal measure — was expected to be followed by a subdued training session. Just a light hit-around, perhaps. But Friday painted a different picture.

Unlike previous optional practices

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