Australia’s preparations for the ODI leg of their multi-format series against India have been dealt a significant blow, with senior players Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth ruled out of the entire three-match series due to quad strains. The injuries were sustained during the third T20I in Adelaide, prompting selectors to call up reinforcements ahead of the opening ODI in Brisbane.
The series opener also marked the return of Alyssa Healy, who will lead Australia as she begins what has been described as her farewell international tour. The first ODI will be played at the Allan Border Field, where Australia boast an extraordinary unbeaten record.
Perry and Garth’s absence has forced changes to Australia’s balance, with experienced seamer Megan Schutt and left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton drafted into the squad as replacements. Australia have also recalled Georgia Voll, who is set to bat at No. 3 after producing the standout innings of the T20I series, an impressive 88 in the second match. Leg-spinner Alana King returns to the ODI side after missing out on T20I selection, while Tahlia McGrath is also back in the mix after sitting out the T20 leg.
Healy’s return comes at a crucial time for Australia, who currently trail 4-2 on points in the multi-format series following a 2-1 defeat in the T20Is. The captain has not featured in international cricket since Australia’s shock semi-final exit at the hands of India in the Women’s World Cup in October. Despite her return, Healy will not resume wicketkeeping duties, with Beth Mooney continuing as the team’s full-time glovewoman.
India, meanwhile, elected to bat first under overcast Brisbane skies and will field a restructured batting order. Pratika Rawal returns to the ODI XI after knee and ankle injuries curtailed her World Cup campaign. Initially selected only for the Test squad, Rawal earned a late call-up to the ODI side and is set to open the innings.
She will partner Shafali Verma, who moves to the No. 3 position, while seam-bowling allrounder Kashvee Gautam has been named following a series of strong performances in the Women’s Premier League. India enters the ODI series with renewed belief, returning to the format for the first time since lifting the World Cup title in a historic campaign. Despite that confidence, history remains a hurdle, India have never won an ODI series against Australia.
Australia, however, will take comfort from their dominance at Allan Border Field, having won all 20 completed ODIs at the venue, including two victories over India as recently as December 2024. The conditions are expected to test both sides, with Brisbane’s typically humid weather and the threat of early-afternoon showers looming over the contest.
As the ODI series gets underway, both teams face contrasting challenges, Australia adjusting to enforced changes, and India seeking to turn world champions’ momentum into a long-awaited breakthrough against their toughest rivals.
Australia: 1 Alyssa Healy (capt), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Georgia Voll, 4 Beth Mooney (wk), 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ashleigh Gardner, 7 Tahlia McGrath, 8 Sophie Molienux, 9 Alana King, 10 Megan Schutt, 11 Darcie Brown
India: 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Pratika Rawal, 3 Shafali Verma, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Jemimah Rodrigues, 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Kashvee Gautam, 9 Sree Charani, 10 Kranti Gaud, 11 Renuka Singh
