India Opt to Bat First Against Australia in Series-Opening ODI at The Gabba

Brisbane, Feb 2026 : India won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia in the opening match of the three-game ODI series at The Gabba on Tuesday, setting the stage for another high-profile clash between two of women’s cricket’s biggest rivals.

While the format has shifted from T20Is to 50-over cricket, the spotlight remains firmly on familiar marquee names. India enter the ODI series buoyed by confidence after securing a 2–1 victory in the recently concluded T20I series, where individual brilliance and collective discipline played a decisive role.

At the forefront of India’s batting success was Smriti Mandhana, who topped the run charts with an impressive 129 runs across the series. For Australia, Georgia Voll emerged as the standout batter, amassing 116 runs and showcasing composure against a varied Indian bowling attack. With the ball, India enjoyed a clear advantage, led by Arundhati Reddy, who claimed eight wickets, while Sree Charani chipped in with five crucial scalps.

The focus now turns to the ODI format, where Australia’s dominance and history loom large. The seven-time world champions boast a formidable head-to-head record against India and have long been considered the benchmark in one-day cricket. India, however, will be keen to carry forward the momentum and belief gained from their T20I success and challenge Australia on home soil.

Adding emotional weight to the series is the fact that this marks the final international assignment of Australian captain Alyssa Healy. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter is set to bring the curtain down on her illustrious career following the conclusion of the home ODI series, making every match a special occasion for fans and teammates alike.

After winning the toss, India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur explained the decision to bat first, citing conditions and confidence within the group. She said the team felt batting upfront would provide an opportunity to enjoy the contest and put runs on the board. Harmanpreet also confirmed a few changes to the playing combination, with Kashvee Gautam returning to the side.

On the other hand, Healy admitted she would have preferred to bowl first but remained upbeat about Australia’s prospects. She highlighted the importance of starting strongly on a fresh wicket and acknowledged the challenge posed by an in-form Indian side. Stressing Australia’s pride in their one-day cricket legacy, Healy said the hosts would look to reassert their dominance and regain momentum in the ODI series. She also noted key absences due to injuries, with Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth unavailable.

As the contest unfolds in Brisbane, both sides will view the series opener as crucial in setting the tone. For India, it is an opportunity to challenge history and build sustained success in ODIs, while Australia will look to reaffirm their supremacy in familiar conditions.

Playing XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh.

Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.