Australia women vs India women: Molineux era begins amid drizzle at the SCG
Australia’s new chapter under Sophie Molineux gets under way in Sydney as the first T20I against India is delayed by lingering drizzle. The match, scheduled to start at 7: 15pm local, will go live at 3: 15am ET. India won the toss and chose to field on a wicket that looks to offer something for the bowlers early on.
Conditions, toss and the lineups
Showers in the harbour city forced a late cover removal and a postponement to the toss, with light mizzle still hanging over the ground as players completed warm-ups on the outfield. Once play was cleared to proceed, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to insert the hosts, banking on early movement on what commentators described as a green-ish surface.
Australia field a mixture of youth and experience. The XI includes Beth Mooney behind the stumps, Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield in the top order, and Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner providing all-format know-how. Sophie Molineux will wear the captain’s armband for the first time, with left-arm pace and spin options completed by Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey and quicks Kim Garth and Darcie Brown.
India’s side features an aggressive top three of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues, with Harmanpreet leading from the middle order. Renuka Singh Thakur was handed the new-ball duties, while the bowling unit is rounded out by Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy and a host of promising domestic performers.
Selection surprises and the leadership handover
There were a few eyebrow-raising calls in the Australian XI. Vice-captain Tahlia McGrath and veteran quick Megan Schutt have been left out, and Nicola Carey earns a recall after an impressive showing in the recent domestic T20 competition. The shake-up signals a willingness to freshen the squad as the team transitions leadership.
The match marks a significant moment for Australian women’s cricket: a new captain steps into the spotlight as a celebrated predecessor draws down the curtain on a storied career. Molineux, a 28-year-old left-arm spinner and all-rounder, inherits the armband at a time when her international record is respected but intermittent availability has been a recurring theme. She acknowledged the surreal quality of leading the national side for the first time and will have family in the stands as she takes on the role.
What to watch — early battles and match-up keys
With India electing to field, the contest will hinge on how Australia’s top order negotiates the new-ball bowlers. Beth Mooney’s ability to anchor and accelerate will be crucial, while Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield offer aggressive options against Renuka Singh and the new-ball pair. Expect India to test the hosts with pace and variation early, seeking to expose any seam or swing on the surface.
For India, momentum from recent white-ball success creates confidence across formats. Their batting depth through Harmanpreet and Richa Ghosh — who will keep wicket — gives them options if the top order stumbles. Fielding and powerplay execution will be vital in a day-night clash at the SCG where conditions could shift as the evening wears on.
Rain is still a factor and could influence innings length or playing conditions. Should the weather alter the contest, both captains will need to adapt tactics quickly. For now, attention turns to a fresh captaincy chapter for Australia and a high-stakes, early-innings duel between two of the world’s stronger women’s sides.
