As the Indian women's cricket team prepares for the upcoming day-night Test at the historic WACA ground, they are looking for ways to regain momentum after a challenging ODI series in Australia. With the hosts leading the multi-format series 8-4, India aims to stage a comeback and potentially draw the series, proving their mettle in the longest format of the game.
To motivate the players ahead of the match, India’s squad and coaching staff revisited moments from their memorable eight-wicket victory over Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in December 2023. That win ended a long drought against the Australian side in Tests, marking India’s first success over them in this format and breaking a streak of ten unsuccessful matches dating back to 1977.
Reflecting on the replayed footage, India’s head coach, Amol Muzumdar, said it brought both inspiration and strategic insight. "We just watched it before coming in… got those memories back and a lot of intel from there and data collected," he explained. He emphasized that revisiting these past successes would help the players boost their confidence while preparing to tackle new challenges in unfamiliar conditions.
Muzumdar underlined the significance of the 2023 victory, describing it as a historic moment in Indian women’s cricket. "We will take a lot of positives out of it. That was the first time we have beaten Australia in a Test match," he noted. At the same time, he reminded the team that the focus must remain on executing good cricket. "We’re here to entertain and play good cricket," he added.
The conditions at the WACA ground, however, will be a stark contrast to what the team experienced in Mumbai. While the WACA pitch no longer offers the extreme bounce and pace it was once famous for, it remains a seam-friendly surface that poses early challenges for batters. Adjusting to this will be crucial for India’s top order, as timing and technique will be tested under Australian conditions.
Adding to the challenge, India’s pace attack will be without the services of Renuka Singh, who is missing the match due to workload management. In her place, uncapped seamer Kashvee Gautam has been called up. Alongside her, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, and Amanjot Kaur—none of whom have played a Test match—will form the pace battery. Despite their relative inexperience at the international level, Muzumdar expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to rise to the occasion.
"There is a little bit of inexperience, but I think they’re capable enough," he said. He also pointed out that Sayali Satghare brings extensive domestic experience, which can help guide the younger players. "For international cricket, they are still very young, but the talent we have is exciting and promising," he added.
The Indian team’s return to Test cricket comes after a gap of several months. Their last outing in the format was a commanding ten-wicket win against South Africa in Chennai in June 2024. Highlighting the limited opportunities for women’s Tests, Muzumdar noted that India has played only 42 matches since their first in 1976, underlining the rarity and importance of each fixture in this format.
While India has been dominant in home Tests, winning their last three matches on Indian soil, overseas contests present new challenges. Their most recent away Test was in October 2021, a drawn pink-ball encounter against Australia on the Gold Coast. Competing in unfamiliar conditions will test the team’s adaptability and mental strength, particularly for the younger players making their debut.
Muzumdar emphasized the significance of Test cricket in the development of players. "We have always maintained in the group that Test matches are the real format," he said. "We’re really excited to play a Test match in Perth and also at Lord’s in four months." For the team, these matches represent more than points; they are opportunities to cement their standing and gain valuable experience in the traditional format.
The tour so far has offered mixed results. India began strongly with a 2-1 win in the T20I series, showcasing their ability to adapt and perform under pressure in Australian conditions. However, the ODI series proved challenging, with Australia dominating to secure a series win and prevent India from taking the multi-format series outright.
A strong showing at the WACA, however, could dramatically shift the narrative. A win in Perth would ensure the overall series ends in a draw on the points system, 8-8, providing a significant morale boost for Indian women’s cricket. It would also demonstrate India’s resilience and ability to compete against one of the strongest sides in the world under challenging conditions.
Reflecting on the tour so far, Muzumdar expressed pride in the team’s achievements. "The tour has been really good. Not many teams have come here and won a T20 series in Australia. We are very proud of the entire squad," he said. Preparations for the Test have been thorough, with the team focusing on adapting to local conditions, refining skills, and building confidence ahead of the longest format.
For India, a victory at the WACA would be symbolic, representing not only a tactical triumph but also a testament to the growth and potential of the team. With a combination of emerging talent and experienced domestic performers, the squad is well-equipped to tackle the challenges posed by Australian conditions and the formidable home team.
As the day-night Test approaches, India enters the WACA with a sense of purpose and determination. Drawing lessons from past victories, embracing the excitement of Test cricket, and balancing inexperience with promising talent, the Indian women’s team is ready to make a strong statement on the international stage. A positive result would not only level the series but also serve as a landmark achievement for Indian women’s cricket, inspiring future generations.
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