India Women vs Australia Women: A Pivotal Test Match
“It’s the match that will mark the end of Alyssa Healy’s international career, but it’s a contest where India will have to make all the running,” said a source close to the Australian camp. This one-off Test match, taking place at the W.A.C.A. Ground in Perth, Australia, is crucial for both teams as they navigate the multi-format series.
Australia Women won the toss and elected to field first against India Women. The match is part of the India Women tour of Australia 2026, where Australia currently leads the series 8-4 after a dominant 3-0 victory in the ODI series.
India Women, under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, have shown promise, having recently secured a T20I series win against Australia, taking it 2-1. This performance has provided a boost of confidence as they aim to level the overall series to 8-8 with a victory in this Test.
As the match unfolds, conditions are expected to be challenging. “Batting could be tough on day one before flattening out and spin could be a factor later in the match,” noted a cricket analyst. Additionally, temperatures are projected to reach around 40 degrees Celsius, adding to the difficulty for the players.
India’s playing XI features key players such as Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Richa Ghosh, while Australia boasts a strong lineup including Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, and Beth Mooney. This match not only serves as a competitive fixture but also as a farewell to Healy, a prominent figure in women’s cricket.
Annabel Sutherland, who has a remarkable Test batting average of 83.71, will be one to watch as the match progresses. India needs to take 10 wickets to secure a win and level the series.
The live telecast of this significant match is available on the Star Sports Network, with live streaming accessible via the JioHotstar app and website. Cricket fans are eagerly anticipating this encounter, which is scheduled from March 6 to March 9, 2026, starting at 10:50 AM IST.
As the teams prepare for this crucial clash, the stakes are high for India Women, who aim to capitalize on their recent T20I success and make a statement in the Test arena.