IND W vs AUS W : The pink ball test between India and Australia will start today! The focus will be on captains Harmanpreet and Smriti

After a crushing defeat in the ODI series, the Indian women’s senior players will need to perform well if they are to win their only day-night Test in nearly five years against Australia starting Friday. The match will conclude the multi-format series against Australia, in which India won the T20I series 2–1, while Australia won the ODI series 3–0.

Being unbeaten in the last five Tests has boosted India’s confidence. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team won three consecutive Test matches between December 2023 and July 2024, including home defeats against England, Australia and South Africa. India’s last two overseas Test matches against England and Australia in 2021 ended in draws. A day-night Test against Australia was played in September-October of the same year, in which Smriti Mandhan scored a century.

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Australia currently leads the multi-format series 8-4. Trailing 2-4 after losing the T20I series, Australia staged a remarkable comeback and won all three ODIs. T20 and ODI wins will get two points each, while a Test match winner will get four points. A win would ensure India at least level the series. Australia is expected to give a tough match to India in this Test series and India’s playing XI for this match could be.

Smriti Mandhana may open the innings for India along with Shefali Verma, while Jemima will be at number three. Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh can chase down the batting order. Amanjot Kaur and Pratika Rawal can be included as batting all-rounders. Sneh Rana and Vaishnavi Sharma are expected to handle the spin bowling for the Indian team, while Pooja Vastrakar, Kashvi Gautam and Kranti Goud will handle the pace bowling. If Vaishnavi is included in the playing eleven, she can make her Test debut.

How does it feel to don the Test jersey?

Hear it from #TeamIndia players live in Whites ahead of the Pink-ball Test – By @mihirlee_58 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bzRCMoHjsD

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) March 5, 2026

Possible Playing of Indian Team 11

Shefali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemima Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Amanjor Kaur/Pratika Rawal, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaur, Vaishnavi Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar/Kashvi Gautam

Indian team for Test series

Shefali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Jemima Rodrigues, Prateika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Amanjot Kaur, Kashvi Gautam, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaur, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Uma Chhetri