Cricket fans around the globe are buzzing with excitement as the India Women’s Cricket Team prepares for a high-stakes tour of Australia in early 2026. This tour promises thrilling contests, strategic battles between two of the women’s game’s elite teams, and a chance for Team India to continue its legacy after winning the Women’s World Cup in 2025. The tour includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and a historic one-off Test match — marking one of the sport’s most anticipated series.
In this comprehensive blog, we explore everything you need to know: tour schedule, squad breakdowns, tactical insights, player profiles, and what this series means for both sides.
Introduction: India Women vs Australia Women — A Riveting Rivalry
The India and Australia women’s cricket teams share one of the most competitive and historic rivalries in women’s cricket. Australia has traditionally been a dominant force, especially in white-ball cricket, but India’s rise — culminating in the 2025 Women’s World Cup triumph — has brought a fresh narrative to this rivalry.
This 2026 tour is a crucial test for India, offering them a chance not only to prove their mettle in Australian conditions but also to build momentum ahead of future ICC events.
Tour Overview: Dates, Formats & Venues
The tour spans mid-February to early March 2026, consisting of multiple formats designed to test India’s adaptability and depth:
Match Formats
- Three T20 Internationals (T20Is) — Starting with a high-voltage format that favours aggressive batters and dynamic bowling attacks.
- Three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) — Offering a traditional test of skill and stamina.
- One Test Match — A rare multi-day encounter that challenges players’ temperament and endurance.
Major Venues
- Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) — First T20I.
- Manuka Oval, Canberra — Second T20I.
- Adelaide Oval — Third T20I.
- Allan Border Field, Brisbane — First ODI.
- Bellerive Oval, Hobart — Second & Third ODIs.
- Perth — Host of the one-off Test match.
This spread of venues ensures that players face a variety of Australian pitch conditions — from fast bounce to spin-friendly tracks — making squad selection strategic and crucial.
India Women’s Cricket Squads Announced
BCCI recently unveiled India’s white-ball squads for the Australia tour, emphasizing a blend of experience, exciting youth, and strategic depth.
T20I Squad
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain) | All-Rounder |
| Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain) | Batter |
| Shafali Verma | Opener |
| Renuka Thakur | Bowler |
| Sree Charani | Bowler |
| Vaishnavi Sharma | All-Rounder |
| Kranti Gaud | Bowler |
| Sneh Rana | All-Rounder |
| Deepti Sharma | All-Rounder |
| Richa Ghosh (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| G Kamalini (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Arundhati Reddy | All-Rounder |
| Amanjot Kaur | Bowler |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | Middle-Order Batter |
| Bharti Fulmali | Batter |
| Shreyanka Patil | Spinner |
The T20 squad balances explosive batters like Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana with strategic bowlers such as Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil — the latter returning from injury. Newer faces like Vaishnavi Sharma provide depth, making this squad a blend of youth and experience.
ODI Squad
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur (C) | All-Rounder |
| Smriti Mandhana (VC) | Batter |
| Shafali Verma | Opener |
| Renuka Thakur | Bowler |
| Sree Charani | Bowler |
| Vaishnavi Sharma | All-Rounder |
| Kranti Gaud | Bowler |
| Sneh Rana | All-Rounder |
| Deepti Sharma | All-Rounder |
| Richa Ghosh (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| G Kamalini (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Kashvee Gautam | Batter |
| Amanjot Kaur | Bowler |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | Middle-Order Batter |
| Harleen Deol | All-Rounder |
The ODI squad also retains the core backbone of India’s batting and bowling line-up. The inclusion of Kashvee Gautam and Harleen Deol adds flexibility, while G Kamalini’s wicketkeeping talent enhances the team’s options.
Test Match Squad
The Test squad will be announced later. However, given India’s recent success and rising all-round talent, anticipation is high that this format could rejuvenate traditional Test cricket’s appeal.
Key Players to Watch
India’s squad features stars with match-winning ability and players poised for breakout performances.
Harmanpreet Kaur — The Leader with Flair
A proven captain and match-winning all-rounder, Harmanpreet leads with tactical acumen and batting prowess. Her ability to shift gears, especially in crunch moments, will be central to India’s success.
Smriti Mandhana — Elegant and Explosive
As vice-captain, Smriti has the ability to set the tone with aggressive and technically sound batting. She is a key architect of India’s top order and has consistently delivered under pressure.
Shafali Verma — Blistering Opening Act
One of the most explosive openers in women’s cricket, Shafali can dominate early overs, giving India vital momentum. Her fearless approach makes her a constant threat.
Richa Ghosh & G Kamalini — Dual Wicketkeeper Strength
India’s wicketkeeping lineup has depth with Richa’s batting firepower and Kamalini’s agility. Dual options behind the stumps provide tactical flexibility.
New Talents
Young players like Vaishnavi Sharma and Kashvee Gautam bring fresh energy. Their development during the tour could shape India’s future lineups.
Australia Women — Opponents with a Legacy
While the focus is on India’s squad, the host side — Australia Women — are not to be underestimated. With a rich tradition in women’s cricket and consistent performance across formats, they bring deep batting, world-class bowling, and seasoned leadership.
Australia’s captain, Alyssa Healy, recently announced her retirement after this series. Her last outing adds emotional weight and intensity to the contest.
What Makes This Tour Special
Multi-Format Test of Skill
India must adapt quickly between formats — from frenetic T20s to strategic ODIs and the patience-driven Test format.
Preparation for Future Global Events
This tour lays groundwork ahead of major ICC tournaments, allowing India’s management to test combinations and strategy.
Closing the Australia Gap
Historically, Australia has often had the upper hand in bilateral contests. India’s recent form and evolving squad bring real belief that they can close this gap.
Tour Schedule — Dates & Match Order (Updated)
| Format | Match | Date | Venue |
|---|
| T20I | 1st | Feb 15, 2026 | SCG |
| T20I | 2nd | Feb 19, 2026 | Manuka Oval |
| T20I | 3rd | Feb 21, 2026 | Adelaide Oval |
| ODI | 1st | Feb 24, 2026 | Allan Border Field |
| ODI | 2nd | Feb 27, 2026 | Bellerive Oval |
| ODI | 3rd | Mar 1, 2026 | Bellerive Oval |
| Test | Only | Mar 6–9, 2026 | Perth |
Conclusion
The India Women Cricket Squad’s tour of Australia in 2026 is a landmark event, blending historic rivalry with modern competitiveness. With a strong squad, strategic depth, and emerging talent, India approaches this tour with a confident yet focused mindset. Fans can expect high-octane performances, tactical battles, and unforgettable cricketing moments.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual follower, this series embodies the evolving spirit of women’s cricket — where tradition meets bold progress.
