India Women's Test Squad Announced for Australia Tour with Exciting New Additions
The Women's Selection Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the 15-member Indian women's Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, featuring some notable inclusions that have generated significant excitement among cricket enthusiasts.
Leadership and Core Team Structure
Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the side as captain for the one-off Test match scheduled at Perth's Optus Stadium, with the experienced Smriti Mandhana serving as her deputy. The squad retains established players who have been instrumental in India's recent performances, including explosive opener Shafali Verma, versatile batter Jemimah Rodrigues, and all-rounder Deepti Sharma.
Fresh Talent Makes the Cut
The selection committee has introduced promising young talent to the Test setup, with 20-year-old bowling sensation Vaishnavi Sharma earning her maiden call-up to the senior Test team. Equally noteworthy is the inclusion of World Cup star campaigner Pratika Rawal, whose consistent performances in limited-overs cricket have now been rewarded with a place in the red-ball squad.
Tour Schedule and Format Details
India's senior women's team will embark on a comprehensive multi-format tour of Australia beginning February 15, 2026. The itinerary includes:
- Three-match T20I series starting February 15
- Three-match ODI series following the T20Is
- One-off Test match scheduled from March 6-9 at Perth Stadium
Squad Changes and Replacements
The board announced that wicket-keeper G Kamalini has been ruled out of the entire Australia tour due to unspecified reasons. In her absence, the selectors have named Uma Chetry as the replacement in both T20I and ODI squads. Chetry will also serve as the backup wicket-keeper for the Test match, providing depth to the keeping department.
Complete Test Squad Composition
The 15-member Indian women's Test squad for the Australia tour comprises:
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
- Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Amanjot Kaur
- Richa Ghosh (Wicket-Keeper)
- Uma Chetry (Wicket-Keeper)
- Pratika Rawal
- Harleen Deol
- Deepti Sharma
- Renuka Singh Thakur
- Sneh Rana
- Kranti Gaud
- Vaishnavi Sharma
- Sayali Satghare
India A Squad for Rising Star Women's Asia Cup
Simultaneously, the BCCI announced the India A squad for the upcoming Rising Star Women's Asia Cup 2026, which will be played in T20 format in Thailand. The developmental team will be led by Radha Yadav and features several promising young cricketers looking to make their mark at the international level.
The India A squad includes Humairaa Kaazi, Vrinda Dinesh, Anushka Sharma, Deeya Yadav, Tejal Hasabnis, Nandani Kashyap, Mamta M, Sonia Mendhiya, Minnu Mani, Tanuja Kanwer, Prema Rawat, Saima Thakor, Jintamani Kalita, and Nandani Sharma, with some players subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.
Tour Schedule Highlights
The Australian tour promises exciting cricket across formats with matches scheduled at iconic venues including Sydney Cricket Ground, Manuka Oval in Canberra, Adelaide Oval, The Gabba in Brisbane, and Bellerive Oval in Hobart before culminating with the Test match in Perth.
Meanwhile, the India A team will begin their Rising Star Women's Asia Cup campaign against the United Arab Emirates on February 12, followed by matches against Pakistan A and Nepal, with knockout stages scheduled for February 19 and the final on February 21.
This announcement marks an important phase in Indian women's cricket as the team prepares for challenging overseas conditions against a formidable Australian side, while also developing future talent through the A team program.
