India Women’s ODI 2026 series against Australia has gotten underway in Brisbane, and the first match produced a one-sided result that has refocused India’s preparation ahead of this important three-match series in Australia. Australia Women claimed a convincing 6-wicket victory in the 1st ODI at The Gabba on February 24, despite a spirited half-century from Smriti Mandhana that once again demonstrated why she is one of the finest batting talents in the contemporary women’s game and India Women’s most important player.
India Women Bat First at The Gabba in Brisbane ODI 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss at The Gabba and elected to bat first in the opening match of the India Women’s ODI 2026 series against Australia. India Women posted 214 in their 50 overs, with Smriti Mandhana’s half-century providing the innings with its primary backbone and structure. However, India struggled badly to build a truly challenging total beyond Mandhana’s contribution, with their middle and lower order failing to capitalise on a decent platform laid by the experienced opener. Several batters got starts but none went on to build a substantial partnership that could have pushed India’s ODI total closer to 250, which many experts believed would have been a more competitive score on The Gabba surface in these conditions.
Smriti Mandhana Carries India Women’s Batting in 1st ODI
Smriti Mandhana once again led India Women’s batting effort from the front and was unquestionably the standout performer in their first ODI innings against Australia in Brisbane. The vice-captain’s knock had all the hallmarks of her extraordinary batting ability — fluid drives through the off side, crisp and well-timed pull shots, and the occasional big hit over the leg side boundary. However, Mandhana’s eventual dismissal left India Women without their commanding presence at the crease, and the rest of the batting lineup simply failed to compensate adequately for the loss of their most important batter in the India Women’s ODI 2026 series opener.
Australia Women Chase Down Target With Comfort and Ease
Australia Women completed their ODI chase with considerable ease and authority, finishing the job in just 38.2 overs with 6 wickets to spare. Annabel Sutherland sealed the victory with an unbeaten 48 that reflected Australia’s calm and professional approach to the chase throughout their innings. The ODI result gives Australia a 1-0 series lead and sets up an important second ODI on February 25 in Brisbane as the India Women’s ODI 2026 series continues on the same ground. The result also marked a positive and emphatic response from Australia following their T20I series defeat to India earlier in the same Australian tour, restoring the home side’s momentum and confidence heading into the remaining ODIs.
Alyssa Healy, who is captaining Australia in the ODI series before retiring from all forms of international cricket at the conclusion of this tour, featured in the match and will be hoping to go out on a high note against India Women in the matches that remain.
India Women Need Middle-Order Improvement in ODI 2026 Series
Despite the first India Women’s ODI defeat in Brisbane, India head into the remainder of this Australia series with genuine reasons for optimism and belief. The return of Pratika Rawal from a long-term ankle injury is a critical boost for India Women. Rawal, who averages above 50 in ODIs and had been outstanding during India Women’s 2025 World Cup-winning campaign, had been badly missed during her absence from the playing XI. Her reunion alongside Smriti Mandhana at the top of the India Women’s ODI order will give Harmanpreet Kaur’s team the explosive start they need to post more competitive totals against a world-class Australian bowling attack in the remaining matches of this important India Women’s ODI 2026 series.
Written by 8JJ.com News Desk | February 25, 2026
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