Who Will Win Australia Women vs India Women 1st ODI 2026 Match Prediction
The highly anticipated Australia Women vs India Women prediction for the 1st ODI 2026 brings two powerhouses of women’s cricket face to face at the iconic The Gabba. Australia Women return home after a T20 series setback and will aim to reassert dominance in the 50-over format, where they have historically been superior. India Women, meanwhile, arrive with renewed confidence after clinching the T20 series and will look to challenge Australia’s formidable home record. Australia have lost only once in their last 17 home games, while teams batting first have won five of the last eight ODIs at The Gabba. The average first-innings score at this venue stands at 228, suggesting competitive totals.
This contest also carries emotional weight as it is the first ODI meeting between the two sides since their thrilling World Cup semifinal clash. Australia boast an excellent head-to-head record and depth across departments, while India have momentum and a batting unit capable of matching Australia stroke-for-stroke.
With stars like Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Smriti Mandhana, and Harmanpreet Kaur in action, fans can expect a high-quality battle. Conditions in Brisbane traditionally assist seamers early, placing emphasis on strong starts. Let’s break down match details, team previews, squads, playing XIs, pitch report, and final prediction.
Match Details
| Match | AUSW vs INDW, 1st ODI |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, 24th February 2026 |
| Time | 9:20 AM IST |
| Venue | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Broadcaster | Fancode |
Team Previews
Australia Women Preview
Australia Women enter this ODI series determined to bounce back after losing the T20 series. Their dominance in the 50-over format, especially at home, remains unquestioned. Sophie Molineux leads a balanced squad packed with experience and match-winners.
Alyssa Healy’s return strengthens the top order. Her aggressive starts can unsettle opposition bowlers. Phoebe Litchfield adds youthful flair, while Beth Mooney has been a pillar of consistency with 444 runs in her last 10 games at an average of 55.50. The middle order is formidable with Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland capable of anchoring and accelerating as required. Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath add finishing prowess.
In bowling, Darcie Brown and Kim Garth are expected to exploit Brisbane’s pace-friendly conditions. Annabel Sutherland, with 19 wickets in her last 10 games, has been exceptional. Spin options include Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner, ensuring variety.
Australia’s strength lies in squad depth and adaptability. They have a proven track record against India, winning 12 of the last 15 encounters. Their home dominance makes them favorites to start the series strongly.
India Women Preview
India Women head into this match with momentum after winning the T20 series. Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership has brought aggression and belief into the squad.
Smriti Mandhana remains India’s batting mainstay, scoring over 1,000 runs in the last 12 months. Alongside Shafali Verma, she provides explosive starts. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet add stability, while Richa Ghosh’s finishing skills can turn games quickly. Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur strengthen the lower middle order.
In bowling, Renuka Singh Thakur is vital with the new ball in Australian conditions. Deepti Sharma has claimed 32 wickets in her last 20 games and will play a crucial role in middle overs. Sneh Rana and Shree Charani provide spin support.
India’s challenge will be countering Australia’s pace attack early. If their top order withstands the new ball and posts a competitive total, they can pressure the hosts. However, their record in Australia remains a concern.
Team Squad
Australia Women Squad: Alyssa Healy, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Kim Garth, Phoebe Litchfield, Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey.
India Women Squad: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shafali Verma, Kashvee Gautam, Amanjot Kaur, Uma Chetry, Vaishnavi Sharma.
Probable Playing XI
| Australia Women | India Women |
|---|---|
| Alyssa Healy | Smriti Mandhana |
| Phoebe Litchfield | Shafali Verma |
| Beth Mooney | Jemimah Rodrigues |
| Ellyse Perry | Harmanpreet Kaur |
| Ashleigh Gardner | Richa Ghosh |
| Annabel Sutherland | Deepti Sharma |
| Tahlia McGrath | Amanjot Kaur |
| Sophie Molineux | Sneh Rana |
| Kim Garth | Renuka Singh |
| Alana King | Shree Charani |
| Darcie Brown | Kranti Gaud |
Favourite Team in Today’s Match
Australia Women are the favourites for this opening ODI due to superior home advantage, experience, and historical dominance over India in the 50-over format. Australia have lost only once in their last 17 home matches, showcasing strong consistency in familiar conditions. Their batting lineup, led by Beth Mooney, Alyssa Healy, and Ellyse Perry, has proven effective at Brisbane’s pace-friendly surface, while the bowling attack—including Darcie Brown and Annabel Sutherland—offers genuine wicket-taking threats early.
Although India Women come with momentum from their recent T20 series win and boast quality batters like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, they still face challenges in replicating that success in Australian conditions. The balanced Australian squad and deeper experience in ODI cricket give them a clear edge in this match.
Pitch Report
The pitch at The Gabba is traditionally pace-friendly with good bounce and carry, favouring fast bowlers early on. Batters who settle in can exploit the true surface and find strokeplay opportunities, often leading to competitive scores. Teams batting first have historically done well, with the average first-innings score around 228 at this venue, suggesting that setting a strong target is crucial. Spinners have a holding role rather than a match-winning impact here, so seam and swing bowlers could dictate early advantage. Accurate bowling and disciplined batting will be key to controlling momentum in this ODI.
Weather Report
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | ~31°C high, ~20°C low |
| Conditions | Variably cloudy with some early showers |
| Precipitation | Low chance of rain midday/evening |
| Humidity | Moderate to high |
Clear to partly cloudy conditions are expected with minimal rain interruptions, though early showers may occur before the match starts. Dew is unlikely to be significant later in the day.
Broadcast Details
The Australia Women vs India Women 1st ODI will be broadcast live on Fancode across India with pre-match analysis and commentary. Streaming details and live updates are available through the Fancode app and website for fans following the match internationally.
Toss Prediction
Toss Winner: Australia Women
At The Gabba, teams batting first have enjoyed success recently as the surface typically holds up well for batters. Winning the toss may prompt the captain to bat first and aim for a strong total, leveraging Australia’s solid batting depth and the venue’s historical trends.
Probable Batsman & Bowler
For Australia Women, Beth Mooney is a key batting figure; her recent form and ability to anchor innings make her one of the most likely top scorers. Alyssa Healy also provides brisk starts and can set the tone in the early overs. For India Women, Smriti Mandhana is pivotal at the top, consistently scoring and building momentum, while Harmanpreet Kaur offers middle-order firepower if early wickets fall.
On the bowling front, Darcie Brown poses a major threat with her pace and bounce at The Gabba, where quick bowlers thrive. Renuka Singh Thakur is India’s standout bowler with the new ball and could unsettle Australia’s top order if given early success. Annabel Sutherland and Deepti Sharma are also expected to deliver crucial overs and breakthroughs for their respective sides.
Australia Women vs India Women Winning Chances
| Team | Winning % | Why | Why Not |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Women | 75% | Strong home record, deeper lineup | Pressure after T20 loss |
| India Women | 25% | Recent momentum, top batting | Struggle in Australian conditions |
Australia’s consistent ODI form at home and balanced squad gives them the edge, while India’s recent success could still challenge if executed well.
Match Prediction
Considering context, home advantage, and squad strength, Australia Women are likely to win this first ODI. Their depth in batting and bowling—and historical success in Brisbane—give them a reasonable edge over India Women, who must overcome conditions and Australia’s experience to pull off an upset.
Winner: Australia Women Will Win
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
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