India Women Tour of Australia 2026 brings one of the most exciting rivalries in women’s cricket to life as Harmanpreet Kaur’s confident India side visits Sophie Molineux’s Australia for a blockbuster three-match T20I series from February 15 to 21, 2026.
If you are an Indian cricket fan dreaming of another famous away win or an Australian supporter hoping for a strong start under the new captain, this series is unmissable. Fresh off India’s ODI World Cup triumph in 2025, the visitors carry huge momentum into T20 cricket, while Australia begin a new era at home.
This India Women Tour of Australia 2026 T20I leg sets the tone for the full multi-format tour (three ODIs + one day-night Test) under a unique points system: 2 points for each white-ball win and 4 points for a Test win (or 2 for a draw). With the 2026 T20 World Cup just months away, every match matters.
In this ultimate preview guide for your IPL Star blog, you will find everything – exact timings, venue-by-venue pitch reports, full squads, probable playing XIs, head-to-head records, player spotlights, weather updates, broadcasting details, and a balanced series prediction. All stats appear in easy-to-read tables. Let’s dive in!
Series Big Picture & Context (India Women Tour of Australia 2026)
The India Women Tour of Australia 2026 feels extra special. Australia have not lifted a global trophy in nearly a decade and now enter a transitional phase. Legend Alyssa Healy has retired from one format and will soon step away from the others. Sophie Molineux takes the captaincy for the first time across formats – a surprise but well-deserved choice for the spin-bowling all-rounder.
India arrive as reigning ODI World Cup champions after beating South Africa in the 2025 final. That victory gave the team massive belief. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur says it best: “Being world champions always gives you a lot of confidence, but every time you step on the ground, you have to start from ball one. T20 is something that as a team we all really enjoy playing, and playing against Australia is always fun.”
The points system adds extra spice. Every T20I win earns 2 points, building pressure right from game one. The T20 World Cup in June 2026, a new Champions Trophy in 2027, and the LA Olympics in 2028 mean both sides will treat these matches as vital preparation.
For Australia, home advantage and depth remain strengths. For India, recent T20 wins against Sri Lanka (5-0 sweep in December 2025) plus explosive batters like Smriti Mandhana give them real upset potential.
Why this matters for fans: Australian supporters will see a fresh leadership era; Indian fans get to watch their world-champion heroes battle the mighty Southern Stars on tough Australian pitches. The rivalry has produced classics – now a new chapter begins.
Key Quotes
- Sophie Molineux: “I think it’ll be pretty surreal. I’ve got a bit of family coming. It sort of has slipped into my mind the last couple of days how it’s going to feel to lead the team out and to sing the anthem.”
- Harmanpreet Kaur: “We are really working hard to achieve all our targets… So we are on the right track.”
India Women Tour of Australia 2026 promises fireworks. Let’s look at the schedule.
Complete Match Schedule, Timings & Venue Overviews (India Women Tour of Australia 2026)
All matches are day-night T20Is under lights. Standard T20 rules apply with DLS for rain.
| Match | Date | Venue | IST Time | Local (AEDT) | GMT Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Sun, 15 Feb 2026 | Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) | 1:45 PM | 7:15 PM | 08:15 |
| 2nd T20I | Thu, 19 Feb 2026 | Manuka Oval, Canberra | 1:45 PM | 7:15 PM | 08:15 |
| 3rd T20I | Sat, 21 Feb 2026 | Adelaide Oval | 1:45 PM | 6:45 PM | 08:15 |
Venue Quick Facts
Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
- Capacity: ~48,000
- Atmosphere: Electric with huge crowd support
- Why fans love it: Short square boundaries, historic venue
Manuka Oval, Canberra
- Capacity: ~15,000 (expands for internationals)
- Atmosphere: Scenic with mountain backdrop
- Why fans love it: Intimate setting, short boundaries
Adelaide Oval
- Capacity: ~55,000
- Atmosphere: One of the world’s most beautiful grounds under lights
- Why fans love it: Picture-perfect views, high-scoring entertainment
India Women Tour of Australia 2026 schedule is perfectly spaced so fans can follow every game live.
ESPNcricinfo match pages.
Detailed Venue Guides, Pitch Reports & Stats (India Women Tour of Australia 2026)
1. Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) – 1st T20I
Australia have won all 4 women’s T20Is here.
Average 1st innings score: 150–160.
Highest total defended: 198/7 vs England (recent).
Lowest defended: 134.
Toss impact: Chasing often preferred due to dew (though minimal at SCG).
February weather: Possible showers – check BOM app.
Strategic tip: Spinners grip later; pace early. Balanced attack wins.
Last 4 WT20Is at SCG (Women)
| Year | Team 1 Score | Team 2 Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | AUS 198/7 | ENG | AUS |
| 2023 | AUS 134 | WI | AUS |
| 2022 | AUS 136 | PAK | AUS |
| 2021 | AUS 148 | NZ | AUS |
SCG pitch report for women T20I 2026 favours batters early, spinners later.
2. Manuka Oval, Canberra – 2nd T20I
Compact ground with very short square boundaries.
Average 1st innings: 144–156.
Highest: Australia 178/2 in past fixtures.
Dew: Moderate under lights – chasing side advantage.
Spin-friendly middle overs.
Strategic tip: Aggressive powerplay pays off.
Key Records at Manuka Oval (Women’s T20Is)
- Highest team total: 195/3 (SA-W vs THA-W, 2020)
- Lowest: 82 all out
- Batting first wins: 2 out of 4 recent games
Perfect conditions expected on Feb 19: 22–24°C, <10% rain.
3. Adelaide Oval – 3rd T20I
Flattest and highest-scoring of the three.
Average 1st innings often 160–170+.
Dew: High after sunset – chasing teams dominate.
Excellent carry for pacers early; spinners later.
Strategic tip: Death-over variations crucial.
Adelaide Oval Women T20I Highlights
- Australia big wins (72-run margins recorded)
- Chasing win rate high under lights
- Capacity crowd expected for series decider
India Women Tour of Australia 2026 venues all offer something different – SCG balance, Manuka boundaries, Adelaide firepower.
How to Watch, Tickets & Live Streaming Guide (India Women Tour of Australia 2026)
In India
- TV: Star Sports 1/2 (English), Star Sports Hindi/Select
- Streaming: JioHotstar (free with Jio or affordable subscription, multi-language)
In Australia
- TV: Channel 7 / 7plus (free-to-air)
- Streaming: Kayo Sports / Foxtel (stats, multi-cam)
Global
- Willow TV (USA/Canada), ICC.tv elsewhere
- Radio: ABC (Australia), All India Radio
Ticket Buying Tips (Ticketek official)
- Prices: AUD 20–40 general, AUD 100+ premium
- Family packs & group discounts available
- Book early via cricket.com.au/tickets
- Digital tickets only – gates open 2–3 hours before
- Resale only via official Ticketek Exchange
Best seats: Square boundaries at SCG & Manuka for six-hitting views; behind bowler’s arm at Adelaide.
India Women Tour of Australia 2026 live streaming will be easy for fans everywhere.
Toss Strategy, Dew Factor & Weather Forecast (India Women Tour of Australia 2026)
Toss winners in Australian women’s T20Is win ~55–60% of matches. Most captains choose to bowl first due to dew.
Dew Impact
- SCG: Low
- Manuka: Moderate
- Adelaide: High – second innings much easier
Weather Outlook
- Canberra (Feb 19): Sunny, 18–24°C, light winds, <10% rain
- Adelaide (Feb 21): Warm 28–31°C day, 15–18°C night, dry
Captains will likely chase under lights. Winning the toss could decide close games.
Australia Women Squad Analysis, Probable XI & Tactics (India Women Tour of Australia 2026)
Full T20I Squad
Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney (wk), Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
Player-by-Player Highlights
- Sophie Molineux (c): Elite left-arm spin, handy bat, new leader – first match as captain will be emotional.
- Beth Mooney (wk): Needs 25 runs to become Australia’s all-time T20I leading run-scorer.
- Ellyse Perry: All-format superstar, middle-order rock + death bowler.
- Georgia Wareham: Leg-spin threat, recent WBBL form excellent.
- Darcie Brown / Kim Garth: Pace options – extra bounce key.
Probable XI
- Georgia Voll
- Beth Mooney (wk)
- Phoebe Litchfield
- Ellyse Perry
- Annabel Sutherland
- Tahlia McGrath
- Nicola Carey / Ashleigh Gardner
- Sophie Molineux (c)
- Georgia Wareham
- Darcie Brown / Kim Garth
- Megan Schutt
Tactics: Spin-heavy if needed (Molineux + Wareham). Strong death bowling with Perry & Schutt. Middle-order depth huge strength. Molineux may bat at 7 or 8 to balance.
Australia’s home record in bilateral T20I series is outstanding – only 1 loss in last 19.
India Women Squad Analysis, Probable XI & Tactics (India Women Tour of Australia 2026)
Full T20I Squad
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Shreyanka Patil. (Note: G Kamalini also listed in some sources as wk option.)
Player-by-Player Highlights
- Smriti Mandhana (vc): Red-hot after topping WPL scoring charts, 87 off 41 in final despite flu. Strike-rate monster in Australia (122+).
- Shafali Verma: Explosive opener.
- Harmanpreet Kaur (c): Clutch finisher and calm leader.
- Deepti Sharma: Leading T20I wicket-taker (152 wickets) – just passed Megan Schutt.
- Shreyanka Patil: Off-spin returnee, took 2/24 in warm-up.
- Bharti Fulmali: Returns after 2019, strike-rate specialist.
- Arundhati Reddy & Renuka Singh: Pace variety.
Probable XI
- Smriti Mandhana
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Harmanpreet Kaur (c)
- Richa Ghosh (wk)
- Deepti Sharma
- Arundhati Reddy
- Shreyanka Patil
- Kranti Gaud / Sneh Rana
- N Shree Charani / Vaishnavi Sharma
- Renuka Singh
Tactics: Powerplay aggression from openers, spin depth (Deepti + Patil + possible Sneh), middle-order stability from Jemimah & Harmanpreet. Recent Sri Lanka sweep gives perfect T20 rhythm.
India Women Tour of Australia 2026 squad blends youth and experience beautifully.
Players to Watch, Key Battles & Head-to-Head Records (India Women Tour of Australia 2026)
Top Players to Watch
- Sophie Molineux (AUS) – Captaincy debut + spin magic.
- Smriti Mandhana (IND) – Form player of the series contender.
- Ellyse Perry (AUS) – Consistent match-winner.
- Harmanpreet Kaur (IND) – Experience under pressure.
- Beth Mooney (AUS) – 25 runs from all-time record.
- Deepti Sharma (IND) – Leading wicket-taker.
- Georgia Wareham (AUS) vs Shreyanka Patil (IND) – Spin battle.
- Shafali Verma (IND) – Powerplay destroyer.
Key Battles
- Mandhana vs Australian pace (Brown/Schutt)
- Molineux spin vs Indian top order
- Perry death bowling vs Indian finishers
Head-to-Head Records Table
| Category | Matches | AUS Wins | IND Wins | Tie | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall T20Is | 35 | 26 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| In Australia | 12 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Last 5 Bilateral Series | 5 | 4 | 1 | – | – |
Trivia
- Deepti Sharma recently overtook Megan Schutt as all-time T20I wicket-taker.
- Australia lost only 1 of last 19 bilateral T20I series.
- India’s only T20I series win in Australia came in 2016.
Recent Form, Tactical Preview & Series Prediction (India Women Tour of Australia 2026)
Recent Form (Last 5 Completed Matches)
Both teams: WWWWW
India have extra T20 rhythm from Sri Lanka series. Australia played only 3 T20Is in past 12 months but boast unmatched squad depth and home knowledge.
Tactical Match-ups
- Powerplay: India’s openers vs Australia’s new-ball pair
- Middle overs: Spin battle (Wareham/Molineux vs Deepti/Patil)
- Death: Perry/Schutt variations vs Indian finishers
- Dew management: Critical at Adelaide
Series Winning Prediction
Australia start as narrow favourites (home conditions + experience) to win 2-1. However, India’s batting firepower, spin options and recent form make a 1-1 split or even India series win very possible. Expect at least one 170+ total and multiple individual heroics.
If dew plays a big role and India’s top order fires, the visitors can pull off an upset. A decider in Adelaide under lights would be pure entertainment.
India Women Tour of Australia 2026 is more than cricket – it’s the start of a new Australian era and a statement tour for world-champion India. The rivalry continues to thrill fans across both nations.
Don’t miss a single ball! Follow live updates, read post-match analysis, and join the conversation on IPL Star. Who are you backing – the new captain or the world champions? Let us know in the comments.
FAQs: India Women Tour of Australia 2026
1. When is the India Women Tour of Australia 2026 T20I series and what are the exact match timings? The India Women Tour of Australia 2026 T20I series runs from February 15 to 21, 2026. Matches start at 1:45 PM IST / 7:15 PM AEDT (Sydney & Canberra) and 1:45 PM IST / 6:45 PM AEDT (Adelaide). All are day-night games under lights – perfect for Indian fans to catch live action after work.
2. Who is the new captain for Australia in AUS W vs IND W T20I 2026 and what makes this series special? Sophie Molineux is the new T20I captain for Australia in the India Women Tour of Australia 2026. This series marks the start of the Molineux era after Australia’s trophy drought and Alyssa Healy’s retirement phase, while India arrive as reigning ODI World Cup champions.
3. How to watch India Australia women T20 live in India for the India Women Tour of Australia 2026? Watch the India Women Tour of Australia 2026 live on Star Sports Network (TV) and JioHotstar (free with Jio subscription or affordable plan). Multi-language commentary available. In Australia, tune into Channel 7 / 7plus and Kayo Sports.
4. What is the pitch report and dew factor for SCG in India Women Tour of Australia 2026? The SCG pitch for the India Women Tour of Australia 2026 1st T20I is balanced with true bounce early and grip for spinners later. Dew is minimal; Australia have won all 4 previous women’s T20Is here with average 1st innings around 150-160.
5. Which venue offers the highest scoring potential in AUS W vs IND W T20I 2026? Adelaide Oval in the India Women Tour of Australia 2026 3rd T20I is the highest-scoring venue with flat tracks and 160-170+ first innings common. Heavy dew after sunset strongly favours chasing teams under lights.
6. What is the probable playing XI for India in India Women Tour of Australia 2026 T20Is? India’s likely XI for the India Women Tour of Australia 2026: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani/Vaishnavi Sharma, Renuka Singh.
7. How important is the points system in the full India Women Tour of Australia 2026? The unique points system (2 points per white-ball win, 4 for Test win or 2 for draw) makes every India Women Tour of Australia 2026 T20I crucial. Early points can decide the overall multi-format series winner.
8. Who are the key players to watch in AUS W vs IND W T20I 2026? Smriti Mandhana (red-hot WPL form), Sophie Molineux (new captain & spin all-rounder), Ellyse Perry, Harmanpreet Kaur, Beth Mooney (needs 25 runs for record), Deepti Sharma (leading T20I wicket-taker) and Georgia Wareham will star in the India Women Tour of Australia 2026.
9. What is the head-to-head record in India Women Tour of Australia 2026 T20Is? In 35 T20Is overall, Australia lead 26-7-1-1. In Australia, it’s 7-4 in 12 matches. Australia have won 4 of the last 5 bilateral series. The India Women Tour of Australia 2026 promises a fierce contest.
10. What is the series prediction for India Women Tour of Australia 2026 T20Is? Australia are narrow favourites to win the India Women Tour of Australia 2026 T20I series 2-1 thanks to home conditions and depth. However, India’s explosive batting, spin depth and recent 5-0 Sri Lanka sweep make an upset highly possible, especially if dew plays a big role.