India Women Tour of Australia 2026: Australia Outclass India by Six Wickets

Australia began the ODI leg of the women’s series against India with a convincing six-wicket victory at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on February 25 , delivering a composed all-round performance to move ahead in the three-match contest. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, India’s innings stumbled almost immediately when Pratika Rawal fell leg-before in the opening over and Shafali Verma departed soon after, leaving the visitors under pressure. Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings with responsible half-centuries, rebuilding through a crucial partnership that briefly restored stability. Just as India looked set to push toward a stronger total, Australia’s bowlers tightened their grip, with Ashleigh Gardner breaking the middle order and slowing the scoring rate. India were eventually bowled out for 214 , though Kashvee Gautam ’s late counterattack highlighted by three sixes ensured the total remained competitive.

Australia’s chase was built on authority and patience. Captain Alyssa Healy , playing in her farewell ODI series, set an aggressive tone with a brisk fifty that put the Indian attack under early pressure, while Beth Mooney anchored the innings with a composed 76 , guiding the chase with smart strike rotation and precise shot selection. Left-arm spinner Sree Charani briefly lifted India’s hopes by dismissing Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll in the same over, but Mooney’s calm presence and Annabel Sutherland ’s unbeaten contribution ensured there were no late setbacks as Australia comfortably reached the target with more than ten overs to spare.

India’s task became tougher when Harmanpreet Kaur suffered a knee issue while batting and did not field during the chase, forcing Mandhana to lead in the field. Missed chances and an inability to maintain sustained pressure during the middle overs further tilted the game in Australia’s favour. The hosts’ performance was especially notable given the absence of senior players Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth through injury, yet their bowling discipline and batting depth underlined why Australia remain the benchmark in women’s cricket.

Despite recent global success, the defeat once again exposed areas India must address, including middle-order consistency, sharper fielding, and greater attacking intent against elite opposition. With two ODIs remaining before a one-off Test in Perth expected to mark Healy’s farewell in the longer format the series remains alive, and India will look to regroup quickly to level the contest while Australia aim to press home their advantage.