Pratika Rawal, Vaishnavi Sharma Among Seven Potential Debutants in India Women's Test Squad for Australia Tour

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming Women's Test match against Australia, set to be played at the iconic WACA in Perth from March 6-9, 2026. The squad, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain, features an exciting blend of experience and emerging talent, with seven players potentially making their Test debuts.

Pratika Rawal: From ODI World Cup Hero to Test Contender

The headline selection is undoubtedly Pratika Rawal, who returns to the Indian setup after an exceptional ODI World Cup campaign. Despite not playing any cricket since the tournament due to an ankle injury sustained during the group stages, Rawal's remarkable performances have earned her a well-deserved Test call-up.

Rawal was the fourth-highest run-getter at the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, amassing an impressive 308 runs in just six innings. Her ability to form a formidable opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana was evident throughout the tournament, where she registered two fifty-plus scores, including a crucial knock against Australia. The selectors have clearly kept faith in her abilities despite the injury layoff.

Vaishnavi Sharma: The Fearless Young Spinner

Another exciting inclusion is 20-year-old left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma, who only broke into international cricket in December 2025. What sets Vaishnavi apart is her willingness to flight the ball even in white-ball formats, a trait that has caught the attention of the Indian team management.

This selection is particularly intriguing given that Australian conditions have traditionally been challenging for spinners, as evidenced by recent men's Test series. However, the selectors appear confident that Vaishnavi's attacking approach could be an asset on Australian pitches.

Seam-Heavy Attack for Australian Conditions

Recognizing the demands of Australian pitches, India have opted for a seam-heavy bowling contingent. Renuka Singh remains the only capped Test bowler among the pace options, but she will be supported by an exciting group of fast bowlers:

• Kranti Gaud - Who has now earned selection across all three formats
• Amanjot Kaur - Adding depth to the pace attack
• Sayali Satghare - Another seamer in line for her Test debut

This strategic approach demonstrates India's intent to compete with Australia in conditions that have historically favored pace bowling.

Experienced Core Provides Stability

The batting unit remains largely consistent with India's last Test match against South Africa in June 2024. The experienced trio of Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemimah Rodrigues will be crucial to India's chances.

All three players bring invaluable experience of Australian conditions through their participation in the Women's Big Bash League over several years. Jemimah's stellar hundred that knocked Australia out of the ODI World Cup will serve as a confidence booster for the entire squad.

Shafali Varma, known for her aggressive batting approach, adds firepower to the top order, while Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana provide all-round capabilities and experience in the middle order.

Wicketkeeping Options

With G Kamalini ruled out of the tour, Richa Ghosh will serve as the primary wicketkeeper across all formats, with Uma Chetry providing backup. Ghosh's ability to change the momentum of a game with her explosive batting makes her a vital cog in India's plans.

Full Tour Schedule

India A at Rising Star Women's Asia Cup

In a parallel development, left-arm spinner Radha Yadav will captain the India A squad at the Rising Star Women's Asia Cup in Thailand, running from February 13-22, 2026. This T20 format tournament will see India A face UAE, Pakistan, and Nepal in the group stages before the knockout rounds.

Complete India Test Squad

Players with Test Experience

• Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
• Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
• Shafali Varma
• Jemimah Rodrigues
• Richa Ghosh (WK)
• Deepti Sharma
• Renuka Singh
• Sneh Rana

Players in Line for Test Debut

• Amanjot Kaur
• Uma Chetry (WK)
• Pratika Rawal
• Harleen Deol
• Kranti Gaud
• Vaishnavi Sharma
• Sayali Satghare

Looking Ahead

This Test match represents a significant opportunity for Indian women's cricket to make a statement in Australian conditions. With seven potential debutants and a squad that balances youth with experience, India will be looking to build on their ODI World Cup triumph and establish themselves as a formidable force in the longest format of the game.

The inclusion of multiple pace options suggests a well-thought-out strategy for the WACA pitch, while the faith shown in young talents like Pratika Rawal and Vaishnavi Sharma signals India's investment in the future of women's Test cricket.