Harmanpreet Kaur to Lead India's 15-Member Squad for Historic Women's Test at WACA Against Australia

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled a formidable 15-member squad for the highly anticipated Women's Test match against Australia, set to be played at the iconic WACA ground in Perth from March 6th to 9th.

Leadership and Key Players

Star all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the Indian side, with the elegant left-hander Smriti Mandhana serving as vice-captain. This experienced leadership duo will be tasked with guiding India against one of the strongest teams in women's cricket on their home turf.

The squad features a balanced mix of youth and experience, with explosive opener Shafali Varma and stylish middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues adding firepower to the batting lineup. Dynamic wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh brings her attacking prowess behind the stumps, while Uma Chetry has been drafted in as the backup glovework specialist.

Squad Composition

The full squad reads:

• Harmanpreet Kaur (C)
• Smriti Mandhana (VC)
• Shafali Varma
• Jemimah Rodrigues
• Amanjot Kaur
• Richa Ghosh (WK)
• Uma Chetry (WK)
• Pratika Rawal
• Harleen Deol
• Deepti Sharma
• Renuka Thakur
• Sneh Rana
• Kranti Gaud
• Vaishnavi Sharma
• Sayali Satghare

Bowling Attack

India's bowling department looks well-equipped for the challenge, with experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma leading the spin contingent alongside Sneh Rana. Pace spearhead Renuka Thakur will be expected to exploit the WACA's traditionally fast and bouncy conditions.

Squad Changes and Injury Updates

In a significant development, wicket-keeper Gunalan Kamalini has been ruled out of the entire tour due to undisclosed reasons. Uma Chetry has been named as her replacement across all formats, providing India with reliable backup behind the stumps.

Tour Schedule and Context

The Test match will serve as the grand finale of India's comprehensive Australian tour, which commences in mid-February. The tour kicks off with a T20 International in Sydney on February 15th, followed by two more T20Is and three ODIs before the red-ball encounter.

Recent Test Form

India head into this fixture riding high on confidence from their recent Test performances. They secured a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over South Africa in Chennai during mid-2024, demonstrating their growing prowess in the longest format.

More significantly, India hold a psychological edge over Australia in recent Test meetings. Their last red-ball clash against the Aussies in December 2023 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium resulted in a convincing eight-wicket triumph for the visitors.

Looking Ahead

This Test match carries immense significance as both nations continue to develop the women's game. The WACA, known for its pace and bounce, will provide a stern examination of India's batting technique and their bowlers' ability to exploit helpful conditions.

With the Women's Cricket World Cup triumph still fresh in memory, India will be eager to continue their winning momentum and prove their credentials as a dominant force in all formats of the game. A positive result in Perth would further cement their status as serious contenders in international cricket.