The opening ODI between Australia and India in Brisbane served as a stark reminder of the challenge India faces on Australian soil. After opting to bat first, the Indian lineup struggled to find fluency, and despite gritty fifties from Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, they were bundled out for a modest 214. Australia, looking focused in what is a farewell series for captain Alyssa Healy, made light work of the chase. Guided by a masterful 76 from Beth Mooney and useful contributions from Healy and Annabel Sutherland, the hosts reached the target with six wickets and plenty of breathing room, taking a clinical 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Squads:
Australia Women’s Cricket Team
Sophie Molineux, Tahlia McGrath, Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham, Lucy Hamilton
India Women’s Cricket Team
Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Kashvee Gautam, Richa Ghosh, Gunalan Kamalini, Amanjot Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Deepti Sharma
Players to watch out:
Beth Mooney
Mooney was undoubtedly the anchor for Australia in the opening game, walking away with the Player of the Match trophy for her match-winning 76. She faced 79 deliveries and looked completely in control at her home ground in Brisbane, hitting five boundaries and clearing the ropes twice. Her ability to rotate strike and build a solid 85-run stand with Annabel Sutherland ensured that Australia chased down the 215-run target comfortably.
Smriti Mandhana
Despite the early loss of her opening partner, Smriti played a vital role in steadying the ship for India with a composed 58 off 68 balls. She struck seven boundaries during her stay, showing flashes of her trademark elegance through the covers before eventually being caught at fine leg. It was her 35th half-century in ODIs, and while she provided the much-needed foundation, her dismissal triggered a bit of a middle-order wobble that kept India to a modest total.
Ashleigh Gardner
Gardner continues to be a massive thorn in India’s side, particularly with her off-spin, as she finished with figures of 3/33 in the first game. She was the one who broke key partnerships, most notably dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues and later removing Harmanpreet Kaur just as the Indian captain was looking to accelerate. With the bat, she wasn’t required for long but stayed unbeaten on 5 as Australia crossed the finish line comfortably.
N Sree Charani
The young left-arm spinner was a bright spot in the Indian bowling attack, providing the first real breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Phoebe Litchfield. She finished her 9-over spell with figures of 2/41, showing great temperament against a world-class batting lineup. Her second wicket came just one ball later when she removed Georgia Voll for a duck, briefly giving India a glimmer of hope during the Australian chase.
Pitch:
The surface at Bellerive Oval is known for being balanced but typically rewards a patient approach. While it is generally a good batting deck with a true bounce, the river end often brings a cool sea breeze that can assist swing bowlers early in the innings. As the game progresses, the pitch tends to settle and flatten out, making stroke play much easier for set batters.
Weather:
Expect it to be a cloudy day with a daytime high of 21°C and a low of 9°C. There is a 10% chance of rain during the day, which stays consistent into the evening as skies clear up. Humidity will sit around 56%, and expect a light breeze coming from the northeast at 11 mph.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Sophie Molineux, Nicola Carey, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Renuka Singh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma
Match Details:
Date – February 27, 2026
Time – 9:20 AM IST
Venue – Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Jio Hotstar and telecasted on Star Sports Network.
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