AUSW vs INDW Live 2nd ODI – Star Sports Live Match – Australia Women vs India Women, 2nd ODI Live Online

The second One Day International between Australia women’s national cricket team and India women’s national cricket team promises to be a pivotal contest in the three-match ODI leg of India’s 2026 tour of Australia. Scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2026, at the picturesque Bellerive Oval in Hobart, this encounter carries enormous significance for both sides. With Australia leading the series 1-0 after a convincing victory in the opener, India face a must-win scenario to keep their hopes alive heading into the final match.

The contest begins at 2:50 PM local time in Hobart (AEDT), which corresponds to 9:20 AM IST and 3:50 AM GMT. The timing ensures strong viewership across multiple regions, especially in India and Australia, where women’s cricket continues to grow rapidly in popularity and competitiveness.

Series Context and First ODI Recap

Australia drew first blood in the series by chasing down a modest total of 215 in the opening ODI at Allan Border Field on February 24. After bowling India out for 214, the hosts paced their run chase efficiently and secured a six-wicket victory. Despite missing key all-rounders Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth due to injuries, Australia displayed their trademark composure and depth.

The opening encounter showcased several noteworthy performances. Beth Mooney stood out with a calm, unbeaten 76 that anchored the chase. Her innings blended patience with calculated aggression, ensuring there were no unnecessary risks while steadily wearing down the Indian bowling attack. On the bowling front, Australia’s seamers exploited early movement on a responsive pitch, and the wickets were shared among multiple bowlers—demonstrating the team’s balanced attack.

India’s batting innings featured promising contributions but ultimately faltered. Smriti Mandhana crafted an elegant 58, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur added a gritty 53. Kashvee Gautam chipped in with an aggressive 43, including three sixes, hinting at her power-hitting capability. However, the Indian lineup suffered a collapse late in the innings, failing to capitalize on a solid platform and missing the opportunity to push the total closer to 240 or 250—a score that might have tested Australia more seriously.

Venue Insight: Bellerive Oval, Hobart

Bellerive Oval is known for offering a fairly even contest between bat and ball. Unlike some Australian venues that strongly favor high-scoring games, Hobart’s surface can provide assistance to seamers early on, especially under overcast conditions. Fast bowlers who maintain disciplined lines can extract swing and seam movement in the initial overs.

As the match progresses, the pitch generally becomes more conducive to strokeplay. Batters who survive the early challenge often find it easier to build innings once the shine fades from the ball. Historically, ODI scores at this venue hover around the mid-200s, with totals near 250 often considered competitive.

Another key factor is the recent trend favoring teams batting second. The ground has witnessed multiple successful chases in recent matches, suggesting that captains winning the toss may lean toward fielding first—particularly if cloud cover persists in the early afternoon.

Weather forecasts for match day indicate temperatures around 22°C, with substantial cloud cover in the early stages before clearer skies later. Light easterly winds around 19 km/h are expected, and the probability of rain is minimal, meaning fans should anticipate uninterrupted play.

What’s at Stake

For Australia, victory in this match would seal the series 2-0 and underline their dominance at home. It would also reinforce their strong record against India in bilateral ODI contests, especially on Australian soil. The team’s consistency in home conditions has been a hallmark of their success, and another clinical performance would maintain that narrative.

For India, however, the stakes are even higher. Having already lost the T20I series 2-1 earlier on the tour, another series defeat would compound recent frustrations in bilateral cricket despite their global tournament pedigree. India are the reigning world champions in limited-overs cricket, yet they have struggled to consistently translate that form into away series wins against elite opposition.

A win in Hobart would level the series 1-1 and inject renewed belief heading into the decider. It would also demonstrate India’s ability to adapt to Australian conditions—a crucial benchmark as the next major ICC events approach.

Adding an emotional layer to the series is Alyssa Healy’s farewell tour. The experienced Australian captain’s impending departure from international cricket brings added motivation for the home side, who are eager to deliver memorable performances in her honor.

Australia Women: Team Analysis

Australia’s primary strength lies in their depth and versatility. Even in the absence of marquee names like Ellyse Perry, they have managed to field a well-rounded XI capable of adapting to varying match situations.

The top order, led by Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield, provides both aggression and stability. Healy’s attacking instincts can dismantle bowling attacks during powerplays, while Litchfield’s composure ensures continuity if early wickets fall.

Beth Mooney remains the backbone of the middle order. Her ability to pace chases and rotate strike under pressure makes her invaluable. Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner add dynamic all-round capabilities, offering explosive batting as well as dependable bowling options.

Gardner’s three-wicket haul in the first ODI underscored her importance. With her off-spin and power-hitting, she often shifts momentum within a matter of overs. Alana King’s leg-spin and Sophie Molineux’s left-arm spin provide variety, especially on surfaces that begin to grip as the game progresses.

In the pace department, Megan Schutt’s accuracy and experience are critical. She was among the wicket-takers in the opener and is adept at exploiting seam-friendly conditions. Darcie Brown brings pace and bounce, challenging batters with sharp spells, particularly under cloudy skies.

Despite the injuries to Perry and Garth testing their pace depth, Australia’s bench strength has allowed them to remain formidable.

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

India Women: Team Analysis

India’s squad boasts significant batting talent, but consistency remains a concern. Smriti Mandhana’s strokeplay is among the most elegant in modern cricket, and when she settles in, she can dominate even high-quality bowling attacks. Her 58 in the first ODI highlighted her class.

However, India’s top order has been vulnerable to early breakthroughs. The golden duck suffered by Pratika Rawal in the opener placed immediate pressure on the middle order. Shafali Verma’s aggressive style can either set the tone or result in early dismissals—making her a high-risk, high-reward presence.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and batting resilience are central to India’s prospects. Her half-century in the first ODI showed determination, but questions around her knee injury add uncertainty. If she is fully fit, her experience will be invaluable in guiding the chase or setting up a competitive total.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh bring flair and adaptability in the middle order. Ghosh’s wicketkeeping adds balance, and her ability to accelerate late in innings makes her a crucial finisher.

India’s bowling unit, spearheaded by Renuka Singh, has the potential to trouble Australia early. Renuka’s knack for swinging the new ball can create opportunities in helpful conditions. However, India must deploy their spinners more effectively. Deepti Sharma, in particular, remains underutilized at times, despite her ability to control the middle overs and take crucial wickets.

Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani, Kashvee Gautam, Renuka Singh, Sneh Rana.

Head-to-Head Overview

Historically, Australia have dominated ODI encounters between the two sides. Out of 59 matches played, Australia have secured 48 victories compared to India’s 11. In recent meetings, Australia have maintained the upper hand, winning four of the last five contests. India’s solitary recent triumph came at home in October 2025.

On Australian soil, the home team’s record is particularly strong, with only rare defeats. This trend underscores the challenge facing India as they attempt to level the series in Hobart.

Key Matchups and Tactical Battles

1. Beth Mooney vs Indian Seamers: Mooney’s calm approach against pace will test India’s discipline with the new ball.
2. Healy’s Powerplay Strategy: If Healy capitalizes on early overs, Australia could set a daunting platform.
3. Renuka Singh’s Opening Spell: Early wickets are vital for India to disrupt Australia’s top order.
4. Spin in Middle Overs: The effectiveness of Gardner and Deepti could determine control during crucial phases.
5. Harmanpreet’s Fitness: Her mobility and confidence at the crease may significantly influence India’s scoring tempo.

Broadcast and Streaming Information

In India, the match will be televised on Star Sports and streamed live via the JioHotstar app and website. Australian viewers can watch through Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports, Channel 7, and 7Plus. In the United Kingdom, coverage will be available on Sky Sports, while fans in the United States can tune in via Willow by Cricbuzz and TrillerTV. Additional international coverage will be provided by local ICC broadcast partners.

Prediction

Considering Australia’s home advantage, depth in both batting and bowling, and momentum from the first ODI, they enter the second match as favorites. Their adaptability to conditions and experience in chasing totals give them an edge.

India possess the talent to stage a comeback, particularly if their top order fires collectively and their bowlers strike early. However, inconsistencies and injury concerns could hamper their efforts.

A closely contested match is anticipated, but Australia appear better positioned to clinch victory—either by defending a total with disciplined bowling or chasing down a competitive score with calculated composure.

saqlain

Saqlain is a finance and blockchain writer with 5+ years of experience covering cryptocurrency, digital assets, and emerging fintech trends. He simplifies complex financial and Web3 topics, helping readers stay informed and make smarter decisions in a fast-evolving digital economy.