The selection committee handed maiden ODI call-ups to Vaishnavi Sharma and Gunalan Kamalini, signalling a continued push to broaden the talent pool following India’s Women’s World Cup triumph in 2025. Both players made their international debuts in the recent home T20I series against Sri Lanka and have impressed the selectors with their adaptability and temperament.

Rawal’s omission is understood to be linked to fitness concerns. The batter’s World Cup campaign was curtailed by injury, and she has not returned to competitive cricket since, raising questions over her readiness for a demanding tour of Australia.

In the ODI squad, Kashvee Gautam has earned a recall for the first time since last year, while World Cup winners Radha Yadav and Uma Chetry have been left out. Radha has also been excluded from the T20I squad, marking a notable change in the team’s spin composition.

The T20I selections saw the return of Shreyanka Patil and Bharti Fulmali. Patil, 23, is set to play her first T20I since the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup after overcoming a prolonged injury layoff. Her recent performances in the Women’s Premier League were key to her recall. Fulmali, meanwhile, makes a comeback to the shortest format after last featuring for India in 2019, reflecting the selectors’ willingness to blend experience with youth.

Arundhati Reddy has retained her place in the T20I side after being part of India’s World Cup-winning squad, underlining the management’s emphasis on continuity in the pace-bowling unit.

India’s tour will begin with a three-match T20I series from 15 February, followed by three ODIs starting on 24 February. A one-off Test match is also scheduled, with the squad for the red-ball fixture to be announced separately.

The series carries added significance as it will be Australia captain Alyssa Healy’s final international assignment before retirement. It will also mark the first meeting between India and Australia since the Women’s World Cup semi-final, where India secured a historic victory in Navi Mumbai.