Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner remains adamant that Australia are still the “best team in the world,” despite no longer holding the T20 or ODI World Cup titles. The 28-year-old is confident her side will respond strongly when Australia renew their rivalry with India in a high-profile home series early next year.
Gardner admitted that recent World Cup setbacks have exposed Australia to pressure situations they are not typically accustomed to handling.
‘Pressure has tested us’: Ashleigh Gardner on Australia’s recent setbacks
“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.
Australia are set to host reigning ODI world champions India for a full bilateral series comprising three T20Is, three ODIs, and a one-off Test across February and March. Gardner acknowledged that India will arrive brimming with confidence following their recent success.
“India are going to come across with a lot of confidence, as they should. They’ve played some really good cricket,” she said. “They challenged us in the ODI series before the World Cup and then had the upper hand in that semi-final.”
While backing Australia’s familiarity with home conditions, Gardner also accepted that India pose a growing challenge.
“They’re coming over to our conditions, which we know better. If they do challenge us, we understand how to respond in those moments,” she added.
The upcoming series will mark the first meeting between the two sides since India knocked Australia out in the semi-final of last month’s ODI World Cup, bringing an end to Australia’s title defence.
Reflecting on Australia’s recent record, Gardner highlighted the team’s consistency despite falling short in major knockout matches.
“Over the last 12 to 18 months, we’ve probably only lost two games, and both were semi-finals. That shows how consistent this group has been. Now it’s about putting all the pieces together to win trophies,” she said.
Australia also exited the 2024 T20 World Cup at the semi-final stage, losing a low-scoring encounter against South Africa. As a result, the side are not the reigning world champions in either white-ball format for the first time in more than seven years.
Gardner pinpointed decision-making under pressure as the key area Australia must improve.
“It’s about winning those small moments in high-pressure situations. In World Cups and finals cricket, you have to be able to do that, and we weren’t,” she said. “Sometimes, under pressure, you make the wrong decision. Making sure our mental game is in the best place will help us make better decisions on the field.”
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