Australia Women vs India Women 1st T20I kicks off a highly anticipated three-match series Down Under, setting the tone for a fierce rivalry. Fans are buzzing about this clash as both sides gear up for bigger battles ahead.
This is the 1st T20I of the India Women’s Tour of Australia 2026, part of the ICC Women’s Future Tours Program. The match takes place on February 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM local time (5:30 AM IST on February 16). The venue is the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, known for its electric atmosphere during women’s internationals.
Sydney Cricket Ground pitches in T20Is typically favor batsmen early on, offering true bounce and carry that quickens under lights, but they can assist spinners later with some grip and slower balls holding up. Teams batting first have won three out of four recent women’s T20Is here, averaging scores around 150-160, so expect a high-scoring affair if the top order fires.
This opener holds massive stakes as the first silverware in a multi-format tour including ODIs and a Test, testing both teams’ preparations for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup cycle. Australia, the defending champions, aim to assert home dominance after a mixed summer, while India seeks to build on recent momentum against England, chasing series wins abroad to climb rankings.
IND W vs AUS W Match Details
- Match: IND W vs AUS W 1st T20 Match
- Date: 15 Feb 2026
- Time: 01:15 PM PST
- Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Where To Watch IND W vs AUS W Match Live Streaming:
India (Star Sports Network, live streaming on JioHotstar app/website at 1:45 PM IST). Pakistan (Tapmad app for live streaming).
Other Regions
Australia (Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports, Channel 7, 7Plus). USA (Willow by Cricbuzz, TrillerTV). UK (Sky Sports). Rest of world (local sports networks or ICC partners; check Kayo/Fancode globally)
How to Watch the Match for Free:
Australia: Channel 7 and 7Plus offer free live TV and streaming. UK/USA: Check BBC iPlayer or Willow TV free trials. Globally: ICC.tv or YouTube highlights (no full free streams confirmed; use VPN for regional free-to-air if available).
Live Streaming Info:
The 1st T20 match will be live on Star Sports.
Live Score Info:
IND W vs AUS W: All matches on these websites, ESPN and Cricbuzz, have live scores.
Team Forms
Australia Women enter on the back of an emphatic T20I series win over New Zealand, where Beth Mooney smashed 70 off 42 and Annabel Sutherland claimed 4-8, sealing an 82-run thrashing—showing their batting depth and bowling variety despite Ashleigh Gardner’s finger injury sidelining her. They’ve been ruthless at home lately, but Darcie Brown’s family absence for the finale hints at minor squad tweaks. India Women, meanwhile, notched a historic T20I series triumph over England with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana starring in chases, blending explosive starts with disciplined bowling—vital prep for this tough tour.
Head-to-Head
In 33 T20I meetings, Australia Women lead with 24 wins to India’s 7, with one tie and one no-result—highlighting the Aussies’ historical edge, especially in Australia. The last five encounters tell a story of Australia’s recent grip: they won by 9 runs in Sharjah (Oct 2024), chased down targets in two Mumbai thrillers (Jan 2024), and edged a low-scorer in Cape Town (Feb 2023). India stunned with a 9-wicket rout in one of those, but Australia took the series—setting up familiar patterns of close contests.
Australia Women Analysis
Australia’s strength lies in their explosive top order and versatile all-rounders, with Alyssa Healy’s captaincy blending experience and youth seamlessly. Ellyse Perry remains the X-factor, capable of match-winning knocks or spells, backed by Phoebe Litchfield’s rising star power and Beth Mooney’s consistency. Weaknesses? Spin vulnerabilities if Gardner’s out, and occasional middle-order wobbles against quality pace. Recent form screams confidence post-New Zealand, with Annabel Sutherland’s all-round heroics and Georgia Wareham’s wickets key to exploiting Sydney’s grip.
Probable XI: Alyssa Healy (c/wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Harris, Georgia Wareham, Heather Graham, Darcie Brown, Megan Schutt
India Women Analysis
India’s batting firepower up top with Mandhana and Shafali sets aggressive tones, while Harmanpreet Kaur’s experience anchors the middle—Deepti Sharma’s all-round nous often turns games. Richa Ghosh’s finishing and Renuka Singh’s new-ball swing are huge pluses, but weaknesses persist in death bowling and chasing big totals away. Their England series win shows momentum, with Shreyanka Patil’s off-spin adding bite post-warm-up hauls—perfect for Sydney.
Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Renuka Singh, Sree Charani
Watch for Perry vs Mandhana duels—Perry’s dismissed her multiple times lately. India’s young spinners Patil and Deepti could trouble Australia’s middle if dew stays away. Home advantage amplifies Australia’s fielding edge, but India’s recent chasing prowess might flip dew-affected games. Squad freshness matters too, with Australia’s depth tested sans Gardner.
Australia’s home record, batting depth, and Sydney know-how give them the edge in a 6-7 wicket win, likely defending 160+. India’s openers could push close, but Australia’s pace trio of Brown, Schutt, and Sutherland tips the scales on this lively pitch. Expect fireworks under the lights.