Thursday, May 28, 2026 |Navi Mumbai
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Split captaincy anchors India A Women squads for Australia tour
Anushka Sharma will lead the T20 games while Yastika Bhatia takes charge for the one-day and multi-day formats.
Navi Mumbai | editorial@unboxdailyhq.com
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The Takeaway
- The selection committee has named three separate 15-player rosters for the visitors.
- Selectors have identified eight core players who will participate in every match of the tour.
- Sayali Satghare and Anushka Sharma will handle vice-captaincy duties during different legs of the series.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has finalised the India A Women squads for the upcoming multi-format home series against Australia A. The month-long tour offers crucial game time before the senior international calendar intensifies.
The schedule kicks off in New Chandigarh with three 20-over matches starting at 6:00 PM IST. The teams then move to Mohali for the 50-over contests. The second One-Day game is a morning start scheduled for 9:00 AM IST. The first and third One-Day games are day-night fixtures starting at 2:00 PM IST. Dharamshala hosts the concluding four-day fixture. Play for this red-ball format is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM IST on each of the four days. Broadcasters and live-streaming platforms are reportedly not yet available.
The tactical shift here focuses on rewarding recent individual performances. Sharma earned her current role after securing a 2-1 series win against England A earlier this summer. She isn’t new to the job. Bhatia assumes command of the longer formats following a magnificent Test century at Lord’s. She didn’t make the recent Asia Cup roster. This provides a massive incentive to push for a senior squad recall.
India A Women squads and Australia A tour schedule
| Format | Match Dates | Venue | Captain |
| T20 Series | September 12, 15, and 17 | New Chandigarh | Anushka Sharma |
| One-Day Series | September 20, 23, and 25 | PCA Stadium, Mohali | Yastika Bhatia |
| Multi-Day Match | September 29 to October 2 | Dharamshala | Yastika Bhatia |
The visiting side rotates its own leadership group across the specific formats. Nicole Faltum, Tahlia Wilson, and Rachel Trenaman will take turns leading the visitors. This mirrors a broader tactical shift in developmental setups. Much like how the India U19 squad pairs Sehwag and Dravid for one-day games to distribute responsibility.
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Playing these developmental fixtures at home gives the domestic talents significant exposure to elite opposition. They get to test their skills without the immediate pressure of a senior cap. Weather and playing conditions could reportedly be a significant factor as the tour progresses through northern India. Especially in Dharamshala in late September during the tail end of the monsoon season. The visiting roster brings heavy international experience to an A-level series. Fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck returns to action alongside Darcie Brown. This presents a severe pace test for the home batting order.
The Unboxed Truth
Unbox Daily HQ sees a clear strategic intent behind the selection of these India A Women squads. The board is using this series to test tactical leadership against top-tier pace bowling. You should keep a close eye on Bhatia’s stint in the longer formats. She has a genuine point to prove to the senior management. The returning Australian quicks won’t make things easy for the top order.
Best for: Cricket enthusiasts tracking the emerging national talent pool.
Who Is This For: Fans aged 15 to 40 following Indian women’s cricket.
Courtesy: BCCI
When and where will the India A Women squads play against Australia A in India?
The India A Women squads will play across New Chandigarh, Mohali, and Dharamshala from 12 September to 2 October 2026. The series features three T20 fixtures in New Chandigarh, three 50-over matches at Mohali, and a concluding four-day match in Dharamshala. All games take place at home venues across northern India.
How does the India A Women squads leadership approach compare to Australia A?
Both sides employ a split-captaincy model to distribute leadership duties across formats. India named Anushka Sharma for T20s and Yastika Bhatia for longer games, while Australia appointed Nicole Faltum, Tahlia Wilson, and Rachel Trenaman. This setup lets both coaching teams evaluate tactical leadership against high-quality opposition.
Why is watching the India A Women squads series worthwhile for cricket enthusiasts?
Watching this series is essential for cricket enthusiasts tracking the emerging national talent pool. It offers a direct look at how fringe players and returning senior leaders handle elite Australian pace bowling. Fans aged 15 to 40 following Indian women’s cricket will see key auditions for future national selection.
