TOP STORIES

Australia and India women gear up for Pink-Ball Test in Perth

Thursday, 05-Mar-2026, 10:47 AM
News

The multi-format series between Australia Women and India Women has reached its final chapter, with both sides set to meet in a day-night Test at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth, beginning on March 6. The match is the only Test of the tour and will provide an opportunity for both teams to return to the longest format against each other after more than two years. Their previous red-ball encounter came in December 2023 in Mumbai, and since then the format has been absent from their showdowns. The multi-format series began with India winning the T20I series 2-1.

However, Australia responded emphatically in the ODIs, sweeping the three-match series. Australia arrive in Perth with considerable momentum in the longest format. Their recent Test record includes dominant victories against England Women at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in January 2025 and South Africa Women at the WACA in February 2024. India, meanwhile, have not played a Test since mid-2024.

However, their most recent run in the format was impressive, securing three consecutive Test victories at home between December 2023 and July 2024 against England, Australia, and South Africa. Leading fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur has been ruled out to better manage her workload. In her place, uncapped pacer Kashvee Gautam has earned a call-up. Meanwhile, for Australia, the Perth Test carries emotional significance as captain Alyssa Healy is set to appear in her final international match before retiring from cricket.

India women: Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh(wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Pratika Rawal, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Uma Chetry

Australia Women: Alyssa Healy (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney(wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Darcie Brown, Lucy Hamilton, Georgia Wareham, Rachel Trenaman, Maitlan Brown

More News

News

NZ vs IND: New Zealand reshuffle squad ahead of final three T20Is

3 hrs ago

New Zealand have made a lot of changes to their squad ahead of the remaining three T20Is against India, with Lockie Ferguson set to not travel to Wellington for the third T20I on Tuesday. Rather, he is scheduled to travel to Auckland on Sunday, where he will feature in the final two matches of the series. 

The f...


News

Ajinkya Rahane picks his all-time India Test XI, no place for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

6 hrs ago

There was no mention of Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli when former India batter Ajinkya Rahane revealed his dream Indian Test team. Rahane’s XI included a few notable names with whom he shared the dressing room during his international and domestic cricket career. 

However, the selection did not include modern-day...


News

“A couple of dropped catches”: Mitchell Santner after New Zealand’s defeat to India

19 hrs ago

New Zealand slipped to a heartbreaking loss in Christchurch as India, making a late comeback, secured a four-wicket win in the second T20I at Hagley Oval on Saturday. Defending a total of 181, New Zealand were on top following a brilliant spell from Mitchell Santner, who put the Indian batting line-up under severe pressure with a four-wicket haul. 

But Indian players...


News

Pakistan announce Test squad for Sri Lanka series, Three players earn Maiden call-ups

19 hrs ago

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an initial 14-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, with Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman and Sameer Minhas earning their maiden Test call-ups. Babar Azam will continue to lead the side, while Salman Ali Agha and Ali Usman have also returned to the squad after being dropped during Pakistan's tour of ...


News

PAK vs ENG 3rd ODI: Pakistan eye final spot as England fight for survival

20 hrs ago

Pakistan will face England in the third ODI of the tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with both teams looking to strengthen their chances of reaching the final. Pakistan enter the match after registering two consecutive wins, while England are under pressure following back-to-back defeats. Pakistan have been impressive with the ball, successfully defendin...