India’s women’s cricket team has ignited excitement on their multi-format tour of Australia in February-March 2026, blending three T20Is, three ODIs, and a rare Test match. With Alyssa Healy’s post-series retirement announcement adding emotional depth and Harmanpreet Kaur steering a dynamic Indian squad, this clash tests preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup while reigniting the fierce India vs Australia women’s cricket rivalry.
Series Overview and Schedule
This high-stakes tour spans key venues, starting with T20Is that showcase explosive limited-overs action before shifting to endurance-testing ODIs and the historic Test.
- 1st T20I: February 15, 2026, Sydney Cricket Ground – India secured a 21-run DLS victory after Australia posted 133; rain curtailed play.
- 2nd T20I: February 19, 2026, Manuka Oval, Canberra – Sophie Molineux’s Australia seeks revenge; live updates promise edge-of-seat drama.
- 3rd T20I: February 22, 2026, location TBD – Decider for T20I supremacy and crucial points.
- ODIs: March schedule, with the third moved to Hobart amid Melbourne’s floodlight woes, ensuring packed stadiums.
- Test: One-off finale, Healy’s farewell battle, highlighting multi-format depth.
The points system- 2 per white-ball win, 4 for Test success (2 for a draw)—amps up every contest. BCCI details full fixtures, drawing global fans to this India vs Australia women’s cricket spectacle.
India Women’s Squad and Key Players
Harmanpreet Kaur (c) and Smriti Mandhana (vc) anchor a balanced unit blending youth and experience across formats.
Full T20I Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shree Charani, Uma Chetry (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Kranti Gaud, Richa Ghosh (wk), Gunalan Kamalini (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Vaishnavi Sharma, Renuka Thakur, Shafali Verma.
Rising stars shine: Shafali Verma’s blistering 21 off 11 balls set the tone in the 1st T20I opener, while Mandhana’s composed 36 in the tour warm-up vs Governor-General XI (chasing 121) signals batting firepower. All-round maestro Deepti Sharma offers spin control, and Arundhati Reddy’s emergence as a strike bowler shifts momentum. Injury swaps- Uma Chetry for Gunalan Kamalini, Pratika Rawal for ODIs, add resilience.
Australia Women’s Squad and Alyssa Healy’s Farewell
Sophie Molineux captains T20Is with Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath as deputies, while Healy helms ODIs/Tests.
T20I Squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney (wk), Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
Healy’s January 12, 2026, retirement stems from a self-assessed dip in competitive hunger after the T20 World Cup focus, discussed with family and husband Mitchell Starc, marking the end of an era. Powerhouses like Ellyse Perry’s all-round threat, Beth Mooney’s stability, and Georgia Wareham’s gritty 30 in the 1st T20I keep Australia formidable despite the opener setback.
1st T20I Highlights: India’s Commanding 1-0 Lead
In Sydney, India won the toss and bowled first in a rain-hit thriller. Arundhati Reddy’s career-best 4/22 sparked a collapse, bundling Australia for 133 in 18 overs amid interruptions. India raced to 50/1 in 5.1 overs (Shafali 21*) before DLS math confirmed their 21-run triumph—Reddy rightfully bagged Player of the Match honours.
This followed a confidence-building warm-up win over Governor-General XI, in which Mandhana played an anchor role while chasing 121. The result vaults India ahead, pressuring Australia ahead of Canberra.
Aus W vs Ind W Live Streaming and Broadcast
Watch India vs Australia women’s cricket live on Star Sports TV channels in India. Stream on the JioHotstar app and website. BCCI.tv has highlights. Get live scores from Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo. Matches begin at 1:30 PM IST. 2nd T20I at Manuka Oval on Feb 19.
Why This Series Matters for the T20 World Cup
Building on India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup glory, this tour pits their depth against Australia’s world No.1 machine. Harmanpreet emphasises mindset: “We must bring our absolute best to challenge this powerhouse.” Healy’s departure elevates Molineux’s leadership test, with Perry and Gardner poised for redemption.
Victorian calls for an MCG ODI underscore fan frenzy. SEO pulses with “India vs Australia women’s cricket,” “Aus W vs Ind W live,” and “Australia vs India women T20 2026.” With a 1-0 edge, India chases a sweep, blending tactical nous from Reddy’s variations and Verma’s aggression against Australia’s pace battery- shaping World Cup storylines.
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Frequently Asked Questions
February 19, 2026, at Manuka Oval, Canberra. India leads 1-0; Australia, under Sophie Molineux, seeks to level the series. Live from 1:30 PM IST.
Watch India vs Australia women’s cricket live on Star Sports TV channels in India. Stream on JioHotstar app and website. BCCI.tv offers highlights and clips. Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo deliver ball-by-ball live scores and stats. Matches start around 1:30 PM IST. 2nd T20I action from Manuka Oval on Feb 19.
Alyssa Healy announced her retirement from international cricket on January 12, 2026, effective after this series. She skips T20Is (Sophie Molineux captains) but leads Australia in ODIs and Tests.
