Series: India Women tour of Australia, 2026 Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane Date & Time: February 24, 2026 | 1:50 PM LOCAL / 3:50 AM GMT
IND W vs AUS W Dream11 Prediction, 1st ODI Preview, Playing XI & Match Winner — India Women Tour of Australia 2026
Quick Match Summary
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Australia Women vs India Women, 1st ODI |
| Venue | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Date | February 24, 2026 |
| Start Time | 1:50 PM LOCAL / 3:50 AM GMT / 9:20 AM IST |
| Predicted Winner | Australia Women |
| Dream11 Captain | Ashleigh Gardner |
| Dream11 Vice-Captain | Smriti Mandhana |
| Top Pick | Beth Mooney (WK), Smriti Mandhana (BAT) |
| Must-Have Player | Ellyse Perry |
In a nutshell: Australia Women host India Women in the 1st ODI at The Gabba on Feb 24, 2026. Australia are favourites on home soil, but Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma make India genuine contenders. For Dream11, Ashleigh Gardner (C) and Smriti Mandhana (VC) are the standout captain options.
Overview
When India Women take on Australia Women at The Gabba in Brisbane, cricket fans are in for a high-stakes series opener that carries implications far beyond three points on the table. Australia, perennial powerhouses of women’s cricket, are playing at home — a fortress they rarely surrender. India, meanwhile, arrive with arguably their most talented squad in years, brimming with match-winners capable of dismantling any attack on any surface.
This is not just a bilateral contest. It is a statement match — for form, for confidence, and for the psychological edge that could define the rest of the series.
Venue Analysis: The Gabba, Brisbane
The Gabba is traditionally a fast bowler’s paradise. The pitch tends to offer carry and lateral movement, particularly early in the innings. However, in women’s ODIs, conditions tend to settle as the match progresses, rewarding batters who are willing to grind through the new ball.
The weather in Brisbane at this time of year typically brings humidity and some cloud cover, which could assist the seamers on both sides during the powerplay. Dew could be a factor in the second innings, making batting under lights relatively easier — a critical consideration for captains at the toss.
Key Insight: The team batting first must post a competitive total of at least 250+. Anything below that risks being chased down by Australia’s formidable middle order with the benefit of dew.
Team Analysis
Australia Women
Australia enter this series as the favourites on home soil. Their squad is a masterclass in balance — aggressive top-order batting, explosive all-rounders, and a bowling attack that can adapt to any condition.
Batting: Alyssa Healy at the top sets the tone with her power-hitting, while Beth Mooney provides the anchor role she has performed with distinction across all formats. Ellyse Perry, arguably the greatest women’s cricketer of her generation, contributes in every department and remains the batter most likely to play a match-defining innings. Georgia Voll is the exciting young prospect who adds firepower in the middle order.
All-rounders: Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland are among the finest all-rounders in the world. Gardner’s off-spin combined with her big-hitting lower down makes her a genuinely match-winning option. Sutherland’s seam bowling and aggressive batting offer Australia a critical bowling option with the new ball.
Bowling: Georgia Wareham brings wrist-spin variety — always a threat on Australian surfaces that assist turn late in the innings. Kim Garth’s pace and accuracy make her a key weapon in the powerplay.
Strength: Home conditions, depth throughout the batting order, and the collective experience of having played together under pressure for years.
India Women
India arrive with a squad that balances youth and experience in a way that inspires genuine confidence. Harmanpreet Kaur leads a group that has been steadily climbing the ODI rankings and will not be overawed by Australian conditions or Australian pressure.
Batting: Smriti Mandhana is India’s trump card. Her ability to pierce the field in the powerplay while also rotating strike during consolidation phases makes her the batter both teams will be watching most closely. Shafali Verma adds explosive intent at the top. Jemimah Rodrigues, with her nimble footwork and creative shot-making, will be crucial in navigating the Australian pace attack in the middle overs. Deepti Sharma’s batting utility in the lower middle order should not be underestimated.
All-rounders: Deepti Sharma’s off-spin is India’s most potent bowling weapon. Her ability to tie down Australia’s aggressive stroke-makers and then contribute vital runs in the lower order could be the decisive difference in a close contest.
Bowling: Renuka Singh Thakur is India’s most dangerous pace bowler — capable of generating significant swing with the new ball in Brisbane’s overcast conditions. Shree Charani provides control in the middle overs.
Strength: Explosive top-order batting, a disciplined bowling unit, and a newfound belief that they can compete against the best in the world away from home.
🏏 Probable Playing XI
Australia Women (Probable XI)
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alyssa Healy (wk/c) | Wicket-Keeper Batter |
| 2 | Georgia Voll | Top-Order Batter |
| 3 | Ellyse Perry | Batter / Seam Bowler |
| 4 | Beth Mooney | Middle-Order Anchor |
| 5 | Ashleigh Gardner | All-Rounder (Off-spin) |
| 6 | Tahlia McGrath | All-Rounder |
| 7 | Annabel Sutherland | All-Rounder (Seam) |
| 8 | Sophie Molineux | Spin All-Rounder |
| 9 | Georgia Wareham | Wrist-Spin Bowler |
| 10 | Kim Garth | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Darcie Brown | Fast Bowler |
Key Inclusions: Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland provide crucial all-round depth. Darcie Brown’s pace could be decisive on a Gabba surface known for carry and bounce.
India Women (Probable XI)
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smriti Mandhana | Top-Order Batter |
| 2 | Pratika Rawal | Opening Batter |
| 3 | Shafali Verma | Aggressive Top-Order Batter |
| 4 | Jemimah Rodrigues | Middle-Order Batter |
| 5 | Harmanpreet Kaur (c) | Middle-Order Batter |
| 6 | Deepti Sharma | All-Rounder (Off-spin) |
| 7 | Richa Ghosh (wk) | Wicket-Keeper Batter |
| 8 | Sneh Rana | Spin All-Rounder |
| 9 | Renuka Singh Thakur | Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Shree Charani | Medium-Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Harleen Deol / Amanjot Kaur | Batter / Utility |
Key Inclusions: Renuka Singh Thakur is India’s biggest weapon with the new ball in Brisbane conditions. Deepti Sharma’s dual role makes her invaluable. Richa Ghosh adds lower-order hitting firepower.
Head-to-Head & Context
Australia have historically dominated India in bilateral ODI series on home soil. However, the Indian women’s side has grown considerably in recent years, particularly in terms of mental fortitude and tactical sophistication under Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy. India’s performances in ICC tournaments have demonstrated that the gap is narrowing — and this series, on Australian soil, provides the ultimate measuring stick.
Key Matchups to Watch
Smriti Mandhana vs Annabel Sutherland (new ball) If Sutherland can trouble Mandhana early with her seam movement, Australia gain a massive psychological advantage. If Mandhana negotiates the powerplay, India’s platform is set.
Ashleigh Gardner vs India’s middle order Gardner’s off-spin is always threatening in Australian conditions. How India’s middle-order batters — Rodrigues and Harmanpreet in particular — play against her could define the match.
Renuka Singh Thakur vs Australia’s top order Renuka’s new-ball spell against Healy and Mooney is arguably the most important passage of play for India. If she can make early inroads, Australia’s fluency is disrupted.
Dream11 Fantasy Recommendation: IND W vs AUS W Dream11 Prediction
Based on squad composition, form, and match conditions, the following player selections represent the highest upside for fantasy teams:
| Category | Top Picks |
|---|---|
| Wicket-Keeper | Beth Mooney |
| Batters | Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Jemimah Rodrigues, Georgia Voll |
| All-Rounders | Ashleigh Gardner (C), Annabel Sutherland (VC), Deepti Sharma |
| Bowlers | Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, N. Charani |
Captain: Ashleigh Gardner — home conditions, batting + bowling dual impact Vice-Captain: Smriti Mandhana — India’s most consistent performer, high ceiling
Prediction
This promises to be a tightly contested opening ODI. Australia’s home advantage and depth across their batting and bowling units give them the slight edge, but India have the firepower — particularly in Mandhana and Renuka — to cause a genuine upset.
Predicted Winner: Australia Women — by a margin of 20–30 runs, or 2–3 wickets if India bat first.
However, if Mandhana fires at the top and Deepti Sharma delivers a disciplined spell in the middle overs, India are every bit capable of taking this match. The first powerplay will be decisive.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. When does the IND W vs AUS W 1st ODI start? The match begins at 1:50 PM LOCAL (Brisbane) / 3:50 AM GMT / 9:20 AM IST on February 24, 2026.
Q2. Where is the IND W vs AUS W 1st ODI being played? The match is being played at The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia.
Q3. Who will win the IND W vs AUS W 1st ODI? Australia Women are predicted to win, given their home advantage and squad depth. However, India — led by Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma — are fully capable of causing an upset.
Q4. Who is the best Dream11 captain for IND W vs AUS W 1st ODI? Ashleigh Gardner is the top captain pick due to her dual all-round impact — off-spin bowling and aggressive batting — on her home ground. Smriti Mandhana is the best vice-captain choice.
Q5. Who is the best wicket-keeper pick in Dream11 for this match? Beth Mooney (8.5 Cr) is the top wicket-keeper pick. She is Australia’s most consistent and reliable batter and is almost guaranteed to spend significant time at the crease.
Q6. Which Indian players should I pick for Dream11? Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Shree Charani are the strongest Indian picks. Mandhana offers the highest batting ceiling, while Deepti provides dual bowling and batting value.
Q7. What is the pitch report for The Gabba, Brisbane? The Gabba typically favours fast bowlers early, with carry and seam movement in the first 10 overs. The pitch settles as the match progresses and dew in the second innings can assist the chasing team, making the toss an important factor.
Q8. What is the head-to-head record between India Women and Australia Women in ODIs? Australia Women have historically held the upper hand in bilateral ODI series on home soil. However, India has significantly closed the gap in recent years, making this series highly competitive.
Q9. Who is India Women’s captain for the Australia tour 2026? Harmanpreet Kaur is India Women’s captain for the tour of Australia 2026.
Q10. Where can I watch IND W vs AUS W 1st ODI live? The match can be watched live on broadcasters carrying the India Women’s tour of Australia. Live scores and ball-by-ball commentary are available on Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo.
Follow the live scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary on Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo.
