India Announces Star-Studded Squad: India has unveiled a power-packed squad for their much-anticipated Women’s Test against Australia, setting the stage for a blockbuster red-ball showdown at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth from March 6–9.
The announcement has generated massive excitement among cricket fans, with several established stars and promising talents included for one of the most high-profile fixtures in the women’s calendar.
The Indian team will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur, with elegant left-hander Smriti Mandhana serving as vice-captain. The Test match comes at the end of India’s multi-format Australian tour, which begins in mid-February and features six white-ball matches—three T20 Internationals followed by three One-Day Internationals. The tour opener will be a T20I in Sydney on February 15.
Big Names Headline Strong Indian Lineup
India’s squad reflects a blend of experience, explosive batting, quality spin, and pace depth. Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues add firepower to the top and middle order, while all-rounders Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Amanjot Kaur offer balance across departments.
Behind the stumps, Richa Ghosh and Uma Chetry have been named as wicketkeeping options. Chetry replaces Gunalan Kamalini, who has been ruled out of the tour.
The bowling unit features the pace of Renuka Thakur and emerging talents Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma, and Sayali Satghare, supported by spin options that could prove crucial on Australian surfaces as the match progresses.
Confidence High After Recent Test Success
India enter the contest with strong momentum in the longest format. Their last Women’s Test appearance saw a dominant 10-wicket victory over South Africa in Chennai in 2024, showcasing their ability to control games with both bat and ball.
Even more encouraging is their recent record against Australia in red-ball cricket — India secured an impressive eight-wicket win in their previous Test clash in December 2023.
Those results have raised expectations that the team can challenge Australia even in their own backyard, a task historically considered one of the toughest in world cricket.
WACA Test Adds Historic Significance
Playing at the WACA brings extra intrigue. Known for pace and bounce, the venue is expected to test technique and temperament. India’s mix of stroke-makers and disciplined bowlers suggests a strategy built around adaptability, patience, and all-round depth.
This Test is more than just another fixture — it’s a statement opportunity. With women’s cricket witnessing unprecedented global growth, high-quality contests like this underline the expanding footprint of the longer format in the women’s game.
As Harmanpreet Kaur’s side prepares for the tour, fans can expect an intense battle between two of the sport’s biggest powerhouses. All eyes will be on Perth as India aim to script another memorable chapter in their growing Women’s Test legacy.
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