The stage was set at The Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, as cricket fans around the globe tuned in for the first women’s ODI between reigning world champions India and hosts Australia. Riding high from a historic T20I series win Down Under—their first such triumph on Australian soil since 2017—Harmanpreet Kaur’s India entered the three-match ODI series with momentum and confidence. But the air was thick with anticipation for more than just the cricket: this match marked the beginning of an emotional farewell tour for legendary Australian captain Alyssa Healy, who announced her retirement from international cricket following this ODI series and the upcoming Day-Night Test in Perth.
India’s lineup reflected both continuity and bold change. Pratika Rawal, the dynamic right-handed batter and off-spinner, made her much-awaited return after a harrowing ankle injury had sidelined her just before the 2024 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal. Her rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence was closely followed by fans, and her selection for this tour, announced on February 16, 2026, was greeted with joy across the cricketing community. Rawal, who had scored an impressive 308 runs in the 2025 World Cup group stage, was slotted to bat at No. 3, with the explosive duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana opening the innings.
Australia, meanwhile, fielded a side brimming with experience and youthful promise. Alyssa Healy, fresh from a reflective pre-match press conference, handed over wicketkeeping duties to Beth Mooney for her swansong series. "It’s already been a little bit weird watching, to be completely honest. I haven’t probably played as many of the T20 series over the last few seasons, but being removed from the environment for the last couple of weeks and watching it all unfold has been a little bit weird, and coming back in midway through a series has been a bit odd," Healy admitted on Monday. The captain was determined to focus on team success rather than personal milestones, adding, "I’m just really excited to play in what is a big series … it’s not so much about going out in in style, it’s more about winning this series." Sophie Molineux, widely tipped as Healy’s successor, took up the vice-captaincy for both the ODIs and the Test.
As the toss went up under Brisbane’s overcast skies, India’s Harmanpreet Kaur called correctly and elected to bat first. The decision was met with cheers from the Indian supporters, eager to see their side set a challenging total in their first ODI outing since their unprecedented World Cup triumph. The playing XIs featured all the expected stars: India lined up with Mandhana, Rawal, Verma, Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, and Renuka Singh; Australia answered with Healy, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Molineux, Alana King, Megan Schutt, and Darcie Brown.
The early overs, however, delivered instant drama. Veteran Megan Schutt, swinging the new ball under Gabba clouds, struck on just the second delivery. Pratika Rawal, returning to the international stage after months of rehab, faced a sharp inswinger that crashed into her pads. The umpire’s finger went up in a flash; DRS confirmed the worst—Rawal’s comeback began with a two-ball duck. The Gabba crowd, a mix of Rawal’s supporters and Australian fans, gasped as India’s score read 0/1. But as those who followed the recent T20I series knew, momentum in this rivalry can turn on a dime.
Smriti Mandhana, India’s ever-reliable opener, took the challenge head-on. She played with fluency and aggression, notching up 58 runs off 68 balls at a brisk strike rate. Her boundaries brought relief to Indian fans as wickets tumbled at the other end. Shafali Verma, usually a whirlwind at the top, managed only 4 runs from 17 balls before Darcie Brown’s sharp pace forced a return catch. Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 8 before gloving a delivery from Ashleigh Gardner to the safe hands of Mooney behind the stumps.
By the 26th over, India found themselves in a precarious position at 115/5. Harmanpreet Kaur, unbeaten on 24, anchored the innings, seeking support from wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh as they looked to rebuild. The Australian attack, led by Schutt (1/22 in five overs), Brown (1/24), and Gardner (1/7), kept the run rate below five an over, applying relentless pressure. The tension was palpable; every run, every defensive stroke, drew cheers and groans in equal measure from the stands and those watching live on Star Sports and JioHotstar across India.
The historical weight of this contest cannot be overstated. The India vs Australia women’s rivalry is among the fiercest in world cricket, with both sides boasting legends and record-breakers. In ODIs, Mithali Raj leads the run charts with 1,123 runs in 37 matches, followed closely by Mandhana (1,054 runs in 22 matches) and Australia’s Ellyse Perry (988 runs in 32 matches). The bowling records are equally impressive: Lisa Sthalekar leads with 36 wickets in 26 matches, Perry with 32 wickets in 32 games, and India’s own Jhulan Goswami with 30 wickets in 33 outings. With such pedigree on both sides, it’s no wonder the cricketing world’s eyes were glued to The Gabba.
The build-up from the T20I series added extra spice to the ODI opener. India’s 2-1 T20I series win, capped by Mandhana’s match-winning 82 in the decider, had set the tone for this tour. The Women in Blue, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, have shown they can match Australia blow for blow in both short and long formats. For Australia, the desire to give Healy a triumphant send-off and reclaim dominance at home is a powerful motivator.
As the match progressed, the focus shifted to India’s middle and lower order. With Rawal’s early exit, the onus was on Kaur and Ghosh to stabilize the innings and push the score towards respectability. Australia’s fielding was sharp, their bowlers clinical, but India’s resilience—honed in their World Cup run and recent T20 heroics—remained undimmed.
Looking ahead, both teams know there’s more at stake than just this series. Australia’s transition to new leadership under Sophie Molineux, India’s quest to build on their World Cup legacy, and the ever-intensifying rivalry ensure that every contest is a battle of skill, nerve, and heart. With a one-off Test at Optus Stadium in Perth looming in March, fans can expect more fireworks and unforgettable moments.
As of the 26th over, India’s innings was delicately poised at 115/5, with Mandhana’s fifty and Kaur’s steady hand keeping hopes alive. The ODI opener remains wide open, and with both teams hungry for victory and history in the making, the cricketing world waits with bated breath to see which side will seize the advantage in this thrilling series opener.