India Women are set for a high-stakes tour of Australia, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiling a 15-member Test squad that blends experience with fresh promise. The multi-format series, beginning on February 15, will feature three T20Is, three ODIs, and culminate in a one-off Test match at the WACA in Perth from March 6 to 9. With Australia being one of the toughest destinations to tour, the selection signals India’s intent to build depth while keeping an eye on the future of women’s Test cricket.
Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy, the squad reflects continuity in leadership and a calculated gamble on emerging talent.
New faces set for potential Test debuts
The biggest talking point from the selection is the inclusion of Pratika Rawal, who has not featured in competitive cricket since her breakout run at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Rawal finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in that tournament, amassing 308 runs in six innings. Her campaign was cut short by an ankle injury, forcing her to miss the knockout stages, but not before she made a strong impression with two fifty-plus scores, including one against Australia. Her opening partnership with Mandhana stood out as one of India’s biggest positives during the title-winning run.
Also in line for a potential Test debut is 20-year-old left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma. Having broken into international cricket only in December last year, Vaishnavi has impressed the team management with her courage to flight the ball, even in the risk-heavy white-ball formats. Despite Australian conditions traditionally favouring pace over spin, India appear keen to invest in a spinner who is unafraid to attack.
Alongside Rawal and Vaishnavi, seamers Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare, as well as all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, add to a list of players who could gain valuable red-ball exposure on the tour.
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Core lineup largely intact
While new faces add intrigue, the core of India’s batting remains largely unchanged from the side that last played a Test, against South Africa in June 2024. Experience will once again be central, with Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Shafali Varma forming the backbone of the batting order.
Rodrigues, in particular, brings fond memories of Australia, having scored a match-defining century that knocked the hosts out of the ODI World Cup. Her familiarity with conditions, along with Harmanpreet and Mandhana’s extensive Women’s Big Bash League experience, will be crucial in countering Australia’s home advantage.
In the bowling department, Renuka Singh remains the only capped Test pacer, but she will be supported by a versatile pace group that offers variety and athleticism. Uma Chetry has been named as the backup wicketkeeper to Richa Ghosh across formats, with G Kamalini ruled out.
India squad for the one-off Test against Australia
Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Varma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
