The anticipation is building as Australia and India prepare to reignite their fierce rivalry in a blockbuster multi-format series scheduled for the summer of 2025-26. Cricket Australia has officially unveiled the itinerary, promising a gripping showdown across some of the nation’s most iconic venues.
This series represents not just an exhilarating clash between two cricketing giants but also a pivotal moment for women’s cricket, showcasing growth in both competitiveness and popularity. With a blend of T20Is, ODIs, and a marquee Test at the redeveloped WACA Ground, fans are in for an unforgettable cricket spectacle.
As anticipation mounts for this new chapter, key players from both teams will take center stage. Australia’s proven performers, such as Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy, will have their hands full battling India’s stars, including Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Arundhati Reddy and Harmanpreet Kaur. Mandhana’s elegant batting and Kaur’s fiery leadership have always made India a formidable opponent, while Australia’s depth and experience remain unmatched in the women’s game.
India’s multi-format tour of Australia 2026 kicks off with the 1st of three T20Is at the Sydney Cricket Ground on February 15, followed by the 2nd and 3rd T20I at Manuka Oval, Canberra and Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, on February 19 and 21 respectively.
The action then shifts to three ODIs set to unfold across Brisbane’s Allan Border Field, Hobart’s Bellerive Oval, and Melbourne’s CitiPower Centre, before culminating in the much-anticipated Test match. The WACA Ground in Perth, which will be upgraded into a 10,000-capacity boutique venue, will host the four-day Test from March 6-9. This redevelopment is symbolic of women’s cricket’s rising stature, promising fans an enhanced viewing experience at an iconic location.
Australia v India 2026 Series Schedule:
Women’s T20I Series:
February 15: SCG, Sydney (N)
February 19: Manuka Oval, Canberra (N)
February 21: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (N)
Women’s ODI Series:
February 24: Allan Border Field, Brisbane (D/N)
February 27: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (D/N)
March 1: CitiPower Centre, Melbourne (D/N)
Women’s One-Off Test:
March 6-9: WACA Ground, Perth (D/N)
This series holds immense significance for the sport under the new ICC Women’s Future Tours Program, which aims to streamline and expand international women’s cricket through 2029. The BCCI’s decision to advance its Women’s Premier League (WPL) to January, coupled with WBBL’s November window, has reshaped Australia’s schedule, placing its marquee series in February and March.
These changes underscore the growing professionalism in the women’s game and the increasing recognition of tournaments’ impact on players’ preparation and global interest. For India and Australia, the sport’s two powerhouses, the stage is set to lead by example, demonstrating the heights women’s cricket can reach.
The recent Ashes series saw record-breaking crowds and electrifying atmospheres at venues like the SCG and MCG. Such milestones highlight the growing appetite for women’s cricket, particularly among fans yearning for competitive, high-quality matchups.
Australia fast bowler Megan Schutt’s comments amplify expectations for the series against India: “I think now they’ve got no excuse but to put us in good stadiums again and back that people are going to want to turn up.” With India’s dedicated fanbase and Australia’s reputation as world cricket leaders, the prospect of packed stands during this series is no longer a distant dream, it’s a reality waiting to unfold.
Beyond this epic series, both teams face exciting prospects. India will host the ODI World Cup later in 2025, while Australia will embark on a multi-format series against the West Indies, including their first women’s Test in nearly five decades. For Australia, reclaiming their T20 World Cup crown in England next summer looms as a key challenge.
The outcomes of this series will undoubtedly set the tone for future competitions, shaping team momentum and further fueling the rivalry between these two cricketing giants. The upcoming multi-format tour between Australia and India is more than a clash of titans, it’s a celebration of women’s cricket’s progress and potential. With revamped venues, star players, and a schedule tailored to maximize engagement, this series promises to be a spectacle for fans around the world.
Mark your calendars, secure your tickets, and prepare to witness the next iconic chapter in the Australia vs India rivalry, which will get underway from 15th February 2026 to 9th March 2026, for an all-format series, including three-match T20I series, three-match ODI series and a one-off Test Match. Be part of history, as the WACA Ground’s showpiece Test caps off a series that will echo through the annals of cricket.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
Loves all things female cricket
