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As the historic India vs Australia Women Pink Ball Test 2026 approaches, cricket fans are set for an exciting showdown as India Women and Australia Women will face each other in a one-off Pink Ball Test match at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth, starting on March 6, 2026 (Friday).
After both teams shared the white-ball series honors, the day-night Test match is expected to be a thrilling conclusion to the tour. India dominated the T20I series, while Australia showed their strength in the ODI series. The upcoming Day-Night match will be a true test of grit, skill, and technique under the lights with the pink ball.
Perth Pitch Conditions & Pink Ball Behavior
The WACA Ground in Perth is historically famous for its fast, bouncy pitches and windy conditions. Under the lights, the pink ball is expected to behave differently compared to the traditional red ball. During the twilight period, when the sun sets and the artificial lights take over, swing bowlers from both sides will find significant movement. This makes the first session under the lights critical for both batting lineups.
For India, adapting to the extra bounce of the WACA pitch will be the primary challenge, whereas the Australian team is well-accustomed to these conditions. Batsmen will need to play with soft hands and avoid committing to the front foot too early.
Recent India vs Australia Women’s Test History
The last time India played a Test match in Australia was during the 2021–22 tour, where the match in Carrara ended in a draw under wet conditions. In that game, Smriti Mandhana scored a magnificent century, showing her class against the pink ball.
However, India created history in December 2023 by registering their first-ever Test victory against Australia Women, defeating them by eight wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. That victory has given the Indian squad immense confidence that they can compete against and defeat the mighty Aussies in the longest format of the game.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
Smriti Mandhana vs Darcie Brown
Smriti Mandhana is one of the finest openers in women's cricket. Her ability to tackle pace and swing will be crucial for India's success at the top of the order. She will go head-to-head with Australia's speedster Darcie Brown, who can generate serious pace and bounce on the Perth deck. This battle in the opening overs will set the tone for the match.
Ellyse Perry vs Deepti Sharma
Ellyse Perry is a legendary all-rounder and has an exceptional record in day-night Test matches, including a double-century. Her experience will be vital for Australia. On the other hand, Deepti Sharma is India's premier all-rounder, known for her control with off-spin and fighting batting in the lower-middle order. Their tactical battle in the middle sessions will be a highlight of the Test.
India vs Australia Women’s Pink Ball Test 2026 – Match Details
Match: India Women vs Australia Women – One-Off Test
Venue: WACA Ground, Perth
Date: March 6, 2026
Format: Day-Night Pink Ball Test
Match Timing
- Match Start Time: 1:20 PM IST (3:50 PM Local Time)
- Toss Time: 12:50 PM IST (3:20 PM Local Time)
Where to Watch India vs Australia Women’s Pink Ball Test Live in India
Indian cricket fans can watch the live action of the historic Test match through both television broadcast and online streaming platforms.
Live Telecast
The India vs Australia Women’s Pink Ball Test will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India.
Live Streaming
Fans can also watch the match live online via the JioHostar app and website.
India Women vs Australia Women Test Squads
Australia Women Squad
Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy (Captain), Beth Mooney (Wicketkeeper), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Darcie Brown, Lucy Hamilton, Georgia Wareham, Rachel Trenaman, Maitlan Brown.
India Women Squad
Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Pratika Rawal, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Uma Chetry.
