The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the squads for the Indian Women Cricket’s team for their much-anticipated white-ball tour of Australia in February 2026, setting the stage for one of the most significant overseas challenges in recent years for the Women in Blue.
Fresh off their historic ODI World Cup triumph in 2025, India will travel to Australia with the clear objective of achieving something they have never managed before: winning a combined white-ball series on Australian soil.
The tour carries added importance not just because of the opposition, but because of the conditions. Australia remains one of the toughest destinations for visiting teams, with pace-friendly pitches, steep bounce, and relentless pressure from a world-class opponent. For India, this series represents both a test of their championship credentials and an opportunity to redefine their record Down Under.
Leadership Continuity and Tour Structure
Harmanpreet Kaur continues as captain across formats, with Smriti Mandhana retained as vice-captain for both the T20I and ODI sides. The decision reflects continuity and stability following India’s World Cup success, with the leadership group trusted to guide the team through challenging conditions and high expectations.
The tour schedule includes three T20 Internationals, followed by three ODIs, and concludes with a one-off Test match. While the Test squad will be announced separately, the white-ball selections already provide insight into the selectors’ thinking—balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term planning.
T20I Squad: Returns, Power, and Spin Depth
One of the standout features of the T20I squad is the return of leg-spinner Shreyanka Patil, who comes back into the side after recovering from injury. Her inclusion adds crucial variety to India’s spin attack, especially valuable in Australian conditions where wrist-spin can be a potent weapon if used smartly.
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Another notable recall is Bharti Fulmali, who earns her first India call-up since 2019 following a series of consistent and impactful performances in the Women’s Premier League. Her selection signals the selectors’ willingness to reward domestic and league form, even after a long absence from the international setup.
These changes, however, have led to Harleen Deol missing out on the T20I squad, though she remains part of the ODI group. The T20I side still boasts considerable batting firepower, with Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Harmanpreet Kaur providing explosiveness, while Deepti Sharma continues to anchor the all-rounder role.
The bowling unit combines pace and spin depth, with Renuka Thakur leading the seam attack and a mix of young and experienced spinners offering flexibility depending on conditions.
India T20I Squad:
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Shreyanka Patil.
ODI Squad: Building Beyond the World Cup Win
The ODI squad selection reflects a subtle but clear shift towards future-proofing the team while retaining the core that delivered the World Cup title. Young left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma and 17-year-old wicketkeeper G Kamalini have both earned their maiden India call-ups, underlining the selectors’ intent to expand the talent pool ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
Kashvee Gautam’s return strengthens the pace department, offering another seam option capable of exploiting Australia’s fast and bouncy surfaces. Her inclusion points to a strategy built around a stronger pace attack, particularly for venues such as Brisbane and Hobart.
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At the same time, some familiar names, including Yastika Bhatia and Radha Yadav, have been left out of the ODI squad. While their omission may raise eyebrows, it suggests a deliberate attempt to tailor the squad to conditions rather than rely solely on established combinations.
India ODI Squad:
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Kashvee Gautam, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol.
Australia’s pitches demand technical adaptability, especially from batters accustomed to slower subcontinental surfaces. The squad composition suggests India are preparing for that challenge, with a strong emphasis on pace bowling depth, athletic fielding, and power hitting.
Winning in Australia has long been a benchmark for the Indian women’s team. While they have recorded isolated victories in the past, a full white-ball series win has remained elusive. As reigning world champions, expectations are understandably higher, but so is belief within the squad.
Series Schedule
The T20I series begins on 15 February at the Sydney Cricket Ground, followed by matches in Canberra and Adelaide. The ODIs will be played in Brisbane and Hobart before the tour moves into the red-ball format.
This tour will be closely watched—not just for results, but for what it reveals about India’s evolution as a global powerhouse in women’s cricket. With leadership stability, selective bold calls, and a clear eye on the future, the 2026 Australia tour could prove to be a defining chapter for the Women in Blue.
