Ahead of first encounter with India since 2025 World Cup semi-final, Ash Gardner insists Australia still the ‘best in the world’

Australia's Ashleigh Gardner (R) celebrates her century with teammate Annabel Sutherland during the ICC Women's World Cup match against England. (PHOTO: AP)

India may have taken the World Cup title away from their grip but touring Australia will still be a daunting task for them, all-rounder Ash Gardner has said. The 28-year-old, who was part of the Australian teams that won the 2018, 2020 and 2023 T20 World Cups and won the 2022 World Cup, has said that while India have challenged them in recent times, the hosts remain confident going into the series between the two sides.

India are set to tour Australia, starting on February 15, for three T20Is, three ODIs and a Test match. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since the dramatic 2025 World Cup semi-final in which India stunned them. “We’ve certainly been put under pressure recently. But I can still sit here confidently saying that we’re the best team in the world,” Gardner told cricket.com.au.

Gardner said familiarity with home conditions would work in Australia’s favour but acknowledged India’s growing threat. “They challenged us in the ODI series before the World Cup and then had the upper hand in that semi-final. They’re also coming over to our conditions, which we know better than them. If they do challenge us, we know what to do in those moments as well,” she said.

Australia’s semi-final knockout in the 2025 World Cup came after a semi-final exit in the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, Gardner pointed out that these were among the few matches that Australia have lost in the recent past, thus indicating the team’s consistency. “Over the last 12 to 18 months, we’ve only lost about two games, and I think the two games that we lost were both in semi-finals. It kind of shows the consistency of the group. It’s just about putting those pieces together to hopefully win those trophies,” said Gardner.

“Just winning those small moments in those high-pressure situations, which, ultimately in a World Cup, when you’re playing in finals cricket, you need to be able to do.And for us, we weren’t able to do that,” said the 28-year-old. “Sometimes when you’re under pressure, maybe you make the wrong decision.