The Australia Women and India Women sides are set to lock horns in a three-match Women’s T20 International (T20I) series beginning Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). This high-stakes series adds another chapter to one of the most exciting rivalries in women’s cricket.
Australia begin a new leadership era under Sophie Molineux, appointed as all-format captain following the retirement of wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy, who will miss the T20Is but return for the ODI and Test matches later in the tour.
India arrive as the reigning ODI World Champions and will be eager to secure their first white-ball series win on Australian soil. Harmanpreet Kaur leads a strong 17-member squad that blends experienced performers with emerging talent.
Squads and Key Players
India have made several changes for this T20I leg:
Shreyanka Patil replaces Harleen Deol in the squad.
Bharati Fulmali returns to international cricket for the first time since 2019, strengthening India’s batting line-up.
New faces such as Vaishnavi Sharma and G Kamalini bolster India’s spin and wicket-keeping options.
Australia’s squad combines youth and experience:
The batting is anchored by Beth Mooney.
Pace spearheaded by Darcie Brown and spin led by Georgia Wareham.
Nicola Carey earns a recall after a strong Women’s Premier League season.
Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath serve as vice-captains under Sophie Molineux’s leadership.
India’s Positive Start
India Women have begun the tour positively, recording a five-wicket victory over the Governor General XI Women at North Sydney Oval. Shreyanka Patil and Arundhati Reddy took two wickets apiece, and Smriti Mandhana’s 36 guided India to chase down 121 with 15 balls to spare.
Match Schedule and Timings
- All three T20I matches in the series will begin at 1:45 PM IST.
- 1st T20I: February 15 – Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
- 2nd T20I: February 19 – Manuka Oval, Canberra (expected similar timings)
- 3rd T20I: February 21 – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (expected similar timings)
- Where to Watch – Live Streaming & Broadcast
Cricket fans in India can watch the Australia vs India T20I series live on:
Star Sports Network (television broadcast)
In other countries, broadcasters include Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports, Channel 7 and 7plus in Australia; Tapmad in Pakistan; SuperSport in South Africa; and Willow TV / Sling TV in the USA and Canada.
This series not only tests both teams’ T20 prowess but also sets the tone ahead of the ODI and Test legs of India’s tour of Australia. Excitement levels remain high, with fans across the world gearing up for another memorable contest between two top women’s cricket outfits.
