The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday unveiled India’s women’s squad for the upcoming multi-format Australia Tour, a high-stakes assignment that will run from February 15 to March 9, 2026, and culminate in a one-off Test at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth.
\With three T20Is, three ODIs and a four-day Test scheduled, the tour represents India’s most demanding overseas challenge since their historic World Cup triumph late last year.
Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the side, with Smriti Mandhana named vice-captain, as India look to assert themselves against the world’s top-ranked team on their own turf. The squad reflects a blend of experience, form and youth, with the selectors backing a core that delivered India’s first ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2025 while also rewarding emerging performers.
One of the key storylines from the selection was the inclusion of Pratika Rawal in the Test squad. Rawal, who played a vital role in India’s World Cup campaign before being sidelined by injury, has recovered in time to be considered for the red-ball format. Her return adds depth and stability to the batting order, especially for the Test in Perth, where patience and technique will be crucial against Australia’s fast bowlers.
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However, the squad announcement also came with a setback. Wicketkeeper-batter G. Kamalini has been ruled out of the tour due to injury. In her absence, Uma Chetry has been drafted into India’s white-ball squads alongside Richa Ghosh, who remains the first-choice wicketkeeper across formats. Chetry’s inclusion gives the team flexibility, particularly in the longer format where her steady glovework and lower-order batting could be valuable.
India’s Test squad features a strong batting core led by Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues, with Harmanpreet providing middle-order power and leadership. Harleen Deol and Amanjot Kaur add versatility, while Deepti Sharma continues to be the side’s most reliable all-rounder, capable of controlling games with both bat and ball.
The bowling unit is built around a mix of pace and spin, tailored to Australian conditions. Renuka Singh Thakur leads the pace attack and will be central to India’s plans with the new ball, especially on the fast, bouncy tracks in Brisbane and Perth. She is supported by Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare, two promising quicks who have impressed in domestic cricket and the Women’s Premier League.
In the spin department, Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana provide experience and control, while Vaishnavi Sharma’s inclusion adds a left-arm option that could be particularly effective as pitches wear down in the latter stages of the Test.
The tour begins with a three-match T20I series, starting on February 15 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, followed by fixtures in Canberra and Adelaide. The teams then shift to ODIs in Brisbane and Hobart before the focus turns to the one-off Test from March 6 to 9 at the WACA.
Australia remains the benchmark in women’s cricket, but India travel with confidence after their breakthrough World Cup victory and recent successes against top teams. The women’s side narrowly missed out on direct World Cup qualification via the Asia Cup last year after losing the final to China, making this tour an important marker of how far the team has progressed since then.
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The rivalry between India and Australia has intensified over the past few seasons. India’s win over Australia in the World Cup semi-final last year was a defining moment, and the upcoming tour offers another chance to prove that result was no anomaly.
For Harmanpreet Kaur, this series is also an opportunity to further cement her legacy as one of India’s most influential captains. Having led the team to their first global title, she now faces the challenge of guiding a transitioning squad in one of the toughest environments in world cricket.
The Test match in Perth will be especially significant. India have won only one women’s Test against Australia in history, and conditions at the WACA with its steep bounce and pace will test the technique and temperament of the batters and bowlers alike. India’s squad for the Test reflects the selectors’ intent to compete rather than merely participate. The presence of seasoned campaigners like Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Deepti and Renuka, alongside younger talents such as Rawal and Kranti Gaud, signals a long-term vision built on both performance and potential.
With a packed international calendar ahead, this Australia tour stands as a defining chapter in India’s rise as a global force in women’s cricket. How the team fares across formats, particularly in the red-ball game, will shape perceptions of India’s depth, resilience and readiness for the next phase of international dominance.
India’s Women’s Test squad: Harmanpreet Kaur [C], Smriti Mandhana [VC], Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh [WK], Uma Chetry [WK], Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare.
