India's batting is a major concern with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling for runs ahead of the tour of Australia.
Arundhati Reddy's 4/22 and Shafali Verma's cameo power India to a 21-run DLS win over Australia in the opening Women's T20I in Sydney.
Gardner said familiarity with home conditions would work in Australia's favour but acknowledged India's growing threat.
West Indies coach Daren Sammy says no team can win the T20 World Cup without beating hosts India, calling them favourites and the biggest hurdle to the title.
Smriti Mandhana credits Jemimah Rodrigues' aggressive batting for helping her find rhythm in India's T20I series-clinching victory against Australia. India won the third T20I by 17 runs, securing their first T20I series win Down Under since 2016.
In both 2007 (the inaugural T20 World Cup) and 1983 (Zimbabwe beat Australia by 13 runs on June 9, 1983), India went on to lift the trophy after Zimbabwe defeated Australia in these major tournaments.
Australia beat India by six wickets in the first Women's ODI in Brisbane, with fifties from Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney, and Ashleigh Gardners 3-33 sealing a 1-0 series lead despite Mandhana and Harmanpreet's efforts.
Australia defeated India by 19 runs in the second T20I to level the three-match series, powered by a record opening stand between Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney.
'India-Pakistan match, if it does not happen, no big deal. Honestly, for a long time now, the actual game has never lived up to the hype and the drama we built up before the match.'
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
The Indian women's cricket team, buoyed by their recent success, is focused on achieving consistent performance and dominating world cricket, with a particular emphasis on the upcoming T20 World Cup.
This is the most open T20 World Cup in history. The traditional powers are compromised. The new powers have gained strength, observes Faisal Shariff.
Loss to Australia in 2023 WC still rankles Surya, wants to play them in next year's T20 showpiece final
Entering most ICC events, especially T20 World Cups, as pre-tournament favourites, India could not break free from that prison of expectations on a number of occasions despite being armed with star power and depth.
She considers Australia the best women's cricket team in the world right now but Ashleigh Gardner is also spooked by the fact that recently crowned ODI world champions India are well on their way to become a "very hard to beat" side in the coming decade.
Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey praises India's dominant run in the ongoing T20 World Cup, highlighting squad depth and the importance of peaking at the right time.
A versatile and dynamic Australian unit, without key pacer Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who is likely to miss the early stages of the tournament, will be going into the T20 World Cup with hopes of going deep in the tournament.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.
A shortened game will be like a sprint where the risk element will be high. Who will win when emotion meets execution remains to be seen. K R Nayar reports from Colombo.
While the white-ball trophy cabinet kept getting heavier, Team India's fortunes in Test cricket swung wildly between hope and despair in 2025.
Rohit slammed 92 runs off just 41 balls, which was laced with eight maximums and seven boundaries in his innings at a strike rate of 224.39
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen believes India are the favorites to win the T20 World Cup, but cautions that the format is unpredictable and that India's 'favourites' tag comes with its own dangers.
Harmanpreet Kaur has become the most capped international player in women's cricket history, surpassing Suzie Bates during the second T20I against Australia in Canberra.
India would bank on its swashbuckling batting line-up when it takes on a gritty England in what promises to be an evenly-matched final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the must-win match against Zimbabwe on Thursday?
Pakistan's cricket team is preparing for the T20 World Cup, including a potential match against India, pending government approval.
Abhishek Sharma has proved to be unstoppable with the bat for India in T20 Internationals, hitting 1297 runs in 33 matches at a strike rate of 194.74.
India Under-19 sealed their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 U-19 World Cup on Sunday, knocking arch-rivals Pakistan out of contention with a disciplined all-round performance at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Nepal's captain Rohit Paudel has emphasized the need for increased international cricket engagements for his team following their narrow defeat against England in the T20 World Cup. He believes regular exposure to top teams is crucial for the development of Nepali cricket.
Rawal, one of India's standout performers in the tournament, had injured her right foot while fielding in the deep during the 21st over of Bangladesh's innings. The setback ruled her out of the Women's ODI World Cup before the semi-final against Australia, forcing her to miss the knockout matches, including the final.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the Indian blind women's cricket team for winning the inaugural T20 World Cup.
'Someone with a strong record against Australia, especially as a coach, is worth considering. Looking ahead to the Ashes in 2027, England might benefit from a different voice -- that extra 1% that helps teams win.'
Vihaan Malhotra's family celebrated in Patiala after the young cricketer helped India defeat England by 100 runs to win the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Harare.
After being outplayed in the opener, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team roared back with a stunning 102-run victory, which was Australia's heaviest defeat in terms of runs. It was also India's first win over them in 12 matches.
England and Sri Lanka prepare for a crucial Super Eight match in the T20 World Cup, with spin bowling expected to play a key role. England aims to replicate their recent series win in Sri Lanka, while the hosts seek to capitalize on home advantage.
Pakistan defeated Namibia by 102 runs to qualify for the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup, with Sahibzada Farhan scoring a century and the spinners delivering an excellent performance.
Ireland, after two consecutive defeats, will look to captain Paul Stirling for inspiration as they seek their first victory against Oman in a T20 World Cup Group B match.
Cricket has never been the same since India's thrilling, last-over win over Pakistan in the final at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on September 24, 2007.
Scotland, a late entry into the T20 World Cup, is set to face West Indies in their opening match. Scotland aims to prove their worth and cause upsets against higher-ranked teams, while West Indies look to leverage their experience and firepower.
South Africa begins their T20 World Cup campaign against Canada, while Zimbabwe faces Oman in another match. Both South Africa and Zimbabwe aim to make a strong impact in the tournament.
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