Australia Women dominated the ODI series against India Women, winning all three matches. Key players like Smriti Mandhana and Alyssa Healy made headlines.
Before the Event
In the lead-up to the ODI series, Australia Women were seen as strong contenders, bolstered by key players such as Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry. India Women, on the other hand, aimed to challenge Australia, with Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur leading their batting lineup. The series was anticipated to be a competitive showcase of women’s cricket.
What Changed
The third ODI saw Australia Women deliver a dominant performance, scoring 409 runs, with Alyssa Healy contributing significantly by scoring 158 runs. This victory marked a 185-run defeat for India, leading to Australia winning all three matches in the series. Additionally, Smriti Mandhana climbed to the top of the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings with 790 rating points, while Alana King became the No.1 bowler with 775 rating points.
Consequences
India’s loss in the series resulted in a significant drop in morale, as they failed to secure a single win against Australia. The series concluded with India losing all three ODIs, and the upcoming one-off Test on March 6, 2026, raises questions about their preparedness. Deepti Sharma remains the only Indian bowler in the top 10, ranked 10th, while Harmanpreet Kaur holds the 9th position in the batting rankings.
Analysis
The series highlighted Australia’s batting strength and depth, with uncapped players Rachel Trenaman and Maitlan Brown being selected for the upcoming Test. However, the absence of key players like Ellyse Perry, who is doubtful due to a quad injury, and captain Sophie Molineux, who is sidelined with a back problem, could impact their performance. India will need to regroup and strategize effectively to overcome these challenges in the forthcoming Test match.
