India Women began confidently in the 1st ODI against Australia at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, reaching 55/0 after 10 overs. This series serves as a crucial World Cup rehearsal for both sides.
Match basics
- Venue and time: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur (New Chandigarh), Day/Night ODI on September 14, 2025.
- Toss: India won the toss and chose to bat first in the series opener, banking on scoreboard pressure and spin later under lights.
- Current situation: India 55/0 after 9.5 overs in an assured start against Australia’s new-ball attack.
Why this series matters
- This is India’s final ODI assignment before the home Women’s World Cup, making selection auditions and roles critical for the XI and bench strength.
- Australia arrive as the pace-setters in women’s ODIs, offering India a benchmark to test combinations and temperament under knockout-style pressure.
Teams and line-ups
- India probable/playing group: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, Shree/Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, with Renuka Singh Thakur and Arundhati Reddy among pace options.
- Australia probable/playing group: Alyssa Healy (c/wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt, with Darcie Brown and Sophie Molineux in the wider squad.
Live form guide and early rhythms
- India’s top order (Mandhana–Rawal) settled quickly, rotating strike and punishing width, while Harmanpreet’s decision to bat first leaned on a spin-heavy attack later in the evening.
- Australia sought swing and back-of-a-length control with Kim Garth and changes of pace through Ash Gardner, before Healy turned to seam-spinners to break opening momentum.
Players to watch
- India: Smriti Mandhana’s powerplay scoring and Harmanpreet Kaur’s middle-overs acceleration shape India’s par total, with Deepti Sharma’s utility key on a dry surface.
- Australia: Alyssa Healy’s tempo at the top and Tahlia McGrath’s middle-overs engine underpin Australia’s chase blueprint, while Georgia Wareham’s legspin is pivotal on a used strip.
Series schedule
- Three ODIs: Sep 14 (New Chandigarh), Sep 17 (New Chandigarh), Sep 20 (Delhi), completing Australia Women’s tour of India 2025/26.
- ESPNcricinfo’s tour hub lists fixtures, venues, and timings, framing a compact series across North India ahead of tournament season.
Where to watch and follow
- Live streaming and telecast guides have been published ahead of the 1st ODI, alongside multiple ball‑by‑ball live blogs carrying score, commentary, and session analysis.
- Real-time scorecards and match reports are available on leading cricket portals during play for comprehensive statistical tracking and post‑match breakdowns.
Quick facts
- India chose to bat in the first-ever international at New Chandigarh, banking on conditions and a four‑spinner plan flagged pre‑match.
- Powerplay control vs depth: Australia target dot‑ball pressure up front, while India aim to bank wickets in hand for a late surge, a pattern evident in the opening exchanges.
Outlook
- A competitive par first‑innings score sets the tone for the series, with India’s spin pack against Australia’s high-quality middle order likely deciding the opener’s final hour.
- With selection stakes high, performances in this series will strongly influence World Cup roles for finishers, second spinner slots, and backup pace options on both sides.
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