India Women take on reigning ODI World Cup champions Australia in the first ODI at New Chandigarh today, marking a crucial World Cup preparation series. With India ending an 18-year home ODI drought against Australia and both teams fine-tuning for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, this encounter promises high-stakes cricket.
Table of Contents
India Women vs Australia Women Match Details: Setting the Stage
Today’s encounter at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium serves as the perfect warm-up for both teams ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Key Match Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | 1st ODI – Australia Women’s Tour of India 2025 |
| Date & Time | September 14, 2025, 1:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) |
| Captains | Harmanpreet Kaur (India) vs Alyssa Healy (Australia) |
| Toss Result | India won the toss and elected to bat first |
| Series Context | 3-match ODI series (World Cup preparation) |
Source: Female Cricket analysis and Outlook India updates
Breaking the 18-Year Jinx: India’s Historic Challenge
India Women faces a monumental task – ending their 18-year drought of home ODI victories against Australia. The last home win came in February 2007, with India losing all 10 encounters since then.
Historical Context:
- Last victory: February 2007 at home
- Recent head-to-head: Australia leads with 10 consecutive wins
- World Cup preparation: First major bilateral series before the mega event
- Form factor: India won just 2 of 11 ODIs lost this year (strong momentum)
Team Form & Momentum Analysis
India’s Recent Success:
- Series win against England in July 2025
- Tri-series victory in Sri Lanka (included South Africa)
- 11 ODIs played this year with only 2 losses
- Home advantage with familiar conditions
Australia’s Dominance:
- Current ODI World Cup champions
- 12 consecutive wins leading into this series
- World No. 1 ODI ranking
- Established core with Perry, Mooney, Gardner
Key Players to Watch
India’s Batting Pillars
Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain): Experienced opener leading the charge
Pratika Rawal: Consistent at home – 89, 67, 154 in recent home ODIs
Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain): Reaches 150 ODIs milestone, matches legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami
Australia’s Power Players
Alyssa Healy (Captain/Wicketkeeper): Aggressive batting style, 170 in 2022 World Cup final
Ellyse Perry: All-round excellence and experience
Beth Mooney: Consistent performer in the batting lineup
Playing XIs: Team Selections
India Women Playing XI: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Kranti Goud
Australia Women Playing XI: Alyssa Healy (wk/c), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt
Pitch & Weather Conditions
Mullanpur Pitch Analysis:
- Balanced surface offering good pace and bounce
- Early assistance for fast bowlers due to grass cover
- Spin-friendly as match progresses with turn and wear
- Batting first advantage recommended
Weather Concerns:
- Cloudy conditions with afternoon rain chances
- Humid atmosphere around New Chandigarh
- Possible interruptions impacting match tactics
Where to Watch Live
Television Coverage:
- Star Sports Network: Complete coverage with expert commentary
Live Streaming:
- JioHotstar app and website: Full HD streaming with multiple camera angles
- FanCode app: Alternative streaming option
For comprehensive women’s cricket coverage and World Cup preparation analysis, explore our sports coverage and women’s cricket insights.
World Cup 2025 Context
This series serves as the final preparation for both teams before the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, making every performance crucial for team selection and strategic planning.
Stakes Beyond Victory:
- Final team combinations testing
- Form assessment for key players
- Condition adaptation for World Cup venues
- Confidence building ahead of global competition
Match Result: Australia’s Clinical Victory
Final Result: Australia won by 8 wickets
Australia completed a dominant victory, successfully chasing India’s total of 281 runs with ease, mounting the 4th highest successful chase in Women’s ODI history.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| India Women | 281 all out | Batting partnerships set competitive total |
| Australia Women | 282/2 | Beth Mooney 77, Annabel Sutherland 54** |
Historical Achievement: This chase ranks as the 4th highest in Women’s ODIs:
- 1st: 302 – SL-W vs SA-W (2024)
- 2nd: 289 – AUS-W vs NZ-W (2012)
- 3rd: 283 – AUS-W vs IND-W (2023)
- 4th: 282 – AUS-W vs IND-W (2025)
Bottom Line: Jinx Continues, World Cup Lessons Learned
Australia’s clinical 8-wicket victory extends India’s 18-year home ODI losing streak against the defending champions. While India posted a competitive 281, Australia’s experienced batting lineup made the chase look routine, with Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland steering them to a comprehensive victory.
This result serves as a valuable World Cup preparation lesson for India – competitive totals alone won’t suffice against Australia’s batting depth. The series continues with crucial lessons ahead of the global tournament.
