The Australian women's team is still grappling with the emotional aftermath of their stunning semi-final exit from the World Cup. On October 30, at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India pulled off a historic upset by completing the highest successful run chase in the history of Women’s ODIs. This defeat was particularly stinging for the powerhouse Australian side as it abruptly ended their dominant 16-match unbeaten streak in the tournament.
Kim Garth sets sights on avenging World Cup semifinal defeat against India
Fast bowler Kim Garth had initially given the defending champions a glimmer of hope while they attempted to protect a massive total of 338. Garth provided a clinical opening spell, removing the dangerous opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana early in the innings. She concluded her performance with commendable figures of 2/46 from her seven overs, momentarily putting the pressure back on the hosts.
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Definitely, I think that one still hurts: Kim Garth
Despite Garth's early breakthroughs, Australia was unable to contain the Indian middle order. Jemimah Rodrigues delivered a masterclass in pressure hitting, scoring her maiden World Cup century to anchor the chase and guide India to a famous victory. The result sent shockwaves through the sport, officially knocking the seven-time champions out of the competition and signaling a shift in the international landscape.
“Definitely, I think that one still hurts a bit. That semi-final loss, India are obviously a very good team. So look, I think every time we play India, it’s always a good game,” Garth said in a podcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Australia to host India for multi-format series
Australia are preparing for a high-stakes home summer as they host India for a comprehensive multi-format series in February and March 2026. The schedule features three T20Is and three ODIs, culminating in a highly anticipated one-off Test match at the WACA Ground in Perth from March 5–9. This series represents a key opportunity for the Australian side to test themselves against an Indian team that recently bested them in a historic World Cup semi-final.
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Beyond the bilateral series, the rivalry will shift to a global stage later in the year during the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted by England and Wales. A marquee Group 1 clash between the two powerhouses is already set for June 28 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. With the tournament expanding to 12 teams, this mid-summer encounter is expected to be a pivotal moment in the fight for a semi-final berth.
Garth recently expressed the squad's collective enthusiasm for this packed calendar, noting that playing India across different conditions in such a short window is an "exciting challenge." While the pain of their recent World Cup exit still lingers, the upcoming home series and the subsequent World Cup rematch at Lord’s offer Australia a clear path to redemption and a chance to reassert their dominance on the world stage.
“So, I think to have obviously three one-dayers, three T20s and a Test match in a space of a month and in different conditions all around Australia is going to be really interesting,” Garth further added.
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Looking ahead, Garth is set to bring that momentum to the 2026 edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which is scheduled to run from January 9 to February 5. She was a sought-after talent during last month's auction, eventually being secured by the Gujarat Giants for Rs 50 lakhs.