Australia Women Beat India by 40 Runs to Lead Series 2-0 on Feb 19, 2026

Australia women's cricket team won the second T20 match against India by 40 runs. This is their second win in a row, giving them a 2-0 series lead.
By Newsroom | Cricket, Australia |

Canberra, Australia – The Australian women's cricket team has taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their T20 International series against India, following a hard-fought victory in the second match at Manuka Oval. The series decider, which saw shifts in momentum and crucial partnerships, has put Australia in a strong position as the teams head into the final fixture.

The match, played on February 19, 2026, at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, was a closely contested affair. India won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that initially seemed to put Australia under pressure. However, the home side managed to set a challenging target, ultimately defending it to secure the win.

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Australia's Innings: Building a Defensive Total

Australia, batting first after India won the toss and chose to field, posted a total of 163 for 5 in their 20 overs. Key contributions came from various players, with the team experiencing some crucial wickets falling at different stages of their innings.

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  • Georgia Voll was a notable performer, finding boundaries early in her innings and showing clever running between the wickets.

  • Arundhati Reddy and Renuka Singh were among the Indian bowlers who managed to claim wickets.

  • Towards the end of the innings, Beth Mooney and Georgia Wareham were dismissed, with the score progressing through stages such as 128 for 1 (14.5 overs), 141 for 2 (16.3 overs), and 145 for 3 (17.2 overs) before reaching the final score.

India's Pursuit: Partnership and Pressure

Chasing a target of 164, India's batting lineup faced a strong Australian bowling attack. The Indian innings saw periods of building partnerships and attempts to accelerate the scoring, particularly in the latter overs.

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  • Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh formed a significant partnership, reportedly sharing a 50-run stand, which helped to build pressure on Australia. Ghosh remained unbeaten on 19* at one point.

  • Despite these efforts, India lost key wickets. Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Shafali Verma were among the batters dismissed.

  • Sophie Molineux and Kim Garth were effective with the ball for Australia, taking wickets. Molineux was credited with the dismissal of Verma.

  • The score progressed through stages like 57 for 1 (6.4 overs), 65 for 2 (8.2 overs), and 71 for 3 (9.4 overs), indicating the fluctuating nature of their chase.

  • Ultimately, India concluded their innings with 124 for 3, falling short of the target.

Key Performances and Bowling Efforts

Both teams saw individual performances that shaped the match.

  • For Australia, Kim Garth took 2 wickets for 15 runs, proving to be an economical and effective bowler.

  • Arundhati Reddy had a strong performance for India, taking wickets including Voll and Mooney.

  • Sophie Molineux also contributed with the ball, dismissing Shafali Verma.

  • Renuka Singh also claimed wickets for India, dismissing Litchfield.

Context of the Series

This second T20 International is part of a three-match series. India entered the series as world number 3, while Australia held the top spot in the ICC women's T20I cricket team rankings. The series is also India's first T20 engagement of the year. Historically, Australia has a strong record against India, winning 26 out of 35 previous encounters.

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Expert Analysis and Observations

The match highlights the depth of talent in both squads. Australia's ability to defend their total under pressure, coupled with their consistent bowling, proved to be the deciding factor. India's reliance on key partnerships, like that between Kaur and Ghosh, underscores their strategy to build momentum. The tactical decisions, such as India's choice to bowl first after winning the toss, reflect the ongoing strategic battles in T20 cricket.

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Conclusion and Implications

Australia's victory in the second T20I ensures they secure the series with a 2-0 lead. This result places significant pressure on India heading into the final match, where they will need a strong performance to avoid a series whitewash. For Australia, this win reinforces their status as a top-ranked team and provides valuable momentum. The series as a whole offers a good gauge of both teams' preparedness and capabilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Australia win the second women's T20 match against India on February 19, 2026?
Australia won the second T20 match by 40 runs. They scored 163 for 5 and India scored 124 for 3. This win gives Australia a 2-0 lead in the series.
Q: What was the score of the second women's T20 match between Australia and India on February 19, 2026?
Australia scored 163 runs for 5 wickets. India scored 124 runs for 3 wickets in their chase. Australia won by 40 runs.
Q: Who were the key players in the second women's T20 match between Australia and India on February 19, 2026?
For Australia, Georgia Voll scored well. Kim Garth took 2 wickets for 15 runs. For India, Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh had a 50-run partnership. Arundhati Reddy took wickets.
Q: What is the current status of the women's T20 series between Australia and India after the match on February 19, 2026?
Australia now leads the three-match series 2-0. They won the first match and then the second match on February 19, 2026. India must win the next match to avoid losing the series 3-0.
Q: Where and when was the second women's T20 match between Australia and India played on February 19, 2026?
The match was played at Manuka Oval in Canberra, Australia, on February 19, 2026. Australia won the match by 40 runs.