With the Australia vs India women’s series set to begin at the SCG on February 15, attention is firmly on two of the strongest sides in international cricket. Australia continues to set the standard in the women’s game, while India have steadily built depth and consistency across formats. Adding context to the build-up, Cricket Australia released a video featuring Ashleigh Gardner, in which the Australian all-rounder picked a combined Australia–India team based on specific skill categories.
Gardner began her selections at the top of the order, naming Smriti Mandhana as the standout opener. She described Mandhana as a batter whose numbers speak for themselves and highlighted her ability to put bowlers under pressure regardless of the format. Mandhana remains one of the most consistent top-order players in the women’s game, with more than 10,000 runs. Against Australia, she has often been India’s key aggressor, setting the tone early and forcing bowling changes.
In the field, Gardner split her picks between the inner circle and the boundary. She named Phoebe Litchfield as the best fielder in the ring, praising her ability to take high-difficulty catches. Gardner referred to Litchfield’s “Grade 3 catches,” describing them as moments where her whole body is in the air while completing one-handed grabs. Despite her young age, Litchfield has already developed a reputation as one of Australia’s safest and sharpest fielders close to the bat.
For boundary fielding, Gardner chose India’s Jemimah Rodrigues. She highlighted Rodrigues’ athleticism, speed and commitment in the field, noting that her fielding qualities are sometimes overshadowed by her batting. Rodrigues’ ability to cover ground quickly and throw herself into saves has made her a key asset for India in high-pressure situations.
Gardner’s choice for opening the bowling was Darcie Brown, whom she described as the quickest bowler in Australia’s current group. Brown regularly bowls above 120 kilometres per hour and combines pace with an attacking mindset. Her smooth run-up and action allow her to generate speed consistently, making her a challenging prospect for batters at the top of the order.
In the middle order, Gardner selected Georgia Wareham as the power hitter. Wareham is known for clearing the boundary even when bowlers hit good lengths. Gardner also pointed to Wareham’s all-round value, highlighting her leg-spin and strong fielding in addition to her batting.
The most clutch player, according to Gardner, was Beth Mooney. Mooney’s reputation as a big-match performer is well established, with decisive innings in World Cups, Ashes series and finals. Gardner described her as a player who can produce crucial runs when her team needs them most.
Rounding out the selections, Gardner named Alana King as the most dangerous spinner. She referenced King’s wicket-taking success in Indian conditions and noted that she is often brought on when Australia are looking for breakthroughs.
As the series begins at the SCG on February 15, Australia and India will contest a full multi-format tour featuring three T20 Internationals, three One-Day Internationals and a one-off Test match. The opening T20I leg will set the tone for the rivalry, while the ODIs and the Perth Test will provide a broader examination of depth, adaptability and consistency across formats.
Gardner’s combined team reflects the quality and balance on both sides, and many of the players she highlighted are likely to play defining roles as the series unfolds. With elite matchups and high stakes across all formats, the Australia–India series promises to be a significant chapter in the women’s international calendar.
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