The stage is set at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth for a pulsating finale to India’s tour of Australia, as the two cricketing powerhouses lock horns in a one-off women’s pink-ball Test from March 6 to March 9, 2026. It’s not just any Test—this match is brimming with historical significance, emotional farewells, and the promise of high-octane cricket under the Western Australian lights.
The multi-format series has offered everything a cricket fan could hope for: drama, momentum swings, and individual brilliance. Australia currently leads the series 8-4, having swept the ODI leg 3-0 after dropping the T20Is to India 2-1. For the visitors, the Test presents one last shot at leveling the series 8-8. While the trophy is out of reach, pride and the opportunity to spoil a farewell party are very much on the line.
What’s adding extra spice to this contest? None other than Alyssa Healy’s final international appearance. The 35-year-old Australian captain, fresh off a dazzling 158 in her last ODI at Hobart, will don the baggy green for the last time. "It’s been an incredible journey, and I want to finish on a high with this amazing group," Healy shared ahead of the match, as reported by Star Sports Network. Her leadership, grit, and explosive batting have shaped Australian women’s cricket for more than a decade, and emotions are expected to run high as she leads her team onto the field one last time.
The Test is a pink-ball, day-night affair—a format that brings its own intrigue. The action kicks off at 10:50 AM IST on March 6, with the toss having already seen Australia opt to field first, a decision that could prove pivotal as the match unfolds under lights. The WACA, with its famed bounce and carry, is expected to offer early assistance to seamers, while spinners may come into play as the game progresses and the pink ball ages.
Let’s take a closer look at the lineups. Australia’s playing XI reads like a who’s who of modern women’s cricket: Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy (c), Annabel Sutherland, Beth Mooney (w), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Lucy Hamilton, and Darcie Brown. The squad’s depth is evident, with Ellyse Perry returning from injury and the likes of Gardner and McGrath offering all-round options. Their pace attack, led by Darcie Brown and Maitlan Brown, is expected to exploit the WACA’s conditions, while spinners Alana King and Georgia Wareham provide variety and control.
For India, Harmanpreet Kaur captains a side eager to build on recent successes. The playing XI features Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (w), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Sayali Satghare, and Kranti Gaud. Mandhana, with her elegance and flair, and Verma, known for her aggressive starts, will be key at the top. Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh add middle-order stability, while Deepti Sharma’s all-round skills and Sneh Rana’s spin could be crucial as the game wears on.
India’s Test pedigree is growing, highlighted by their historic first-ever Test win over Australia by eight wickets at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in December 2023. That victory was a watershed moment, breaking new ground for the side and injecting fresh belief. Now, they’ll need to channel that same aggression and intent—especially as a defensive approach could play into Australia’s hands, given the hosts’ comfort with draws in home conditions.
The multi-format series structure has kept fans on their toes. After India’s T20I triumph, Australia stormed back in the ODIs, leaving the Test as the ultimate decider for bragging rights. As noted by cricket analysts on JioHotstar, “India can’t win the series outright, but an 8-8 draw would send a strong message about the team’s evolution and resilience.”
Broadcast and streaming options abound for fans eager to catch every ball. The match is televised live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on the JioHotstar app and website, ensuring no one misses a moment of the action. The day-night format, with sessions running from 10:20 AM to 5:20 PM IST, promises plenty of twists as the pink ball zips under the lights and conditions shift through the day.
Both teams have plenty to play for. Australia, with home advantage and a lineup stacked with experience and talent, are favorites. The emotional weight of Healy’s farewell is sure to galvanize the squad. Ellyse Perry’s return adds further steel, while Beth Mooney’s consistency and Gardner’s all-round threat give the hosts multiple match-winners.
India, meanwhile, will look to their spinners to make inroads as the match progresses. The likes of Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma could be game-changers if the pitch offers turn. Harmanpreet’s leadership, Mandhana’s class, and Verma’s audacity at the top are all vital ingredients if India are to push for a result. "We want to play positive cricket and give ourselves the best chance," Harmanpreet Kaur said in the pre-match press conference, as reported by JioHotstar. "This team has shown it can compete with the best, and we’re ready for the challenge."
The WACA itself is a character in this unfolding drama. Its reputation for pace and bounce is legendary, and the pink ball under lights only adds to the spectacle. Early wickets could set the tone, while batters who weather the initial storm might cash in later. The tactical nuances—when to attack, when to consolidate, how to manage the twilight sessions—will be fascinating to watch.
Behind the scenes, both squads have made subtle tweaks. Australia’s faith in their core group is unwavering, with Healy’s leadership and Perry’s experience providing a steadying influence. India’s blend of youth and experience is coming together at the right time, with emerging talents like Pratika Rawal and Kashvee Gautam eager to make their mark on the biggest stage.
As the match unfolds, all eyes will be on Alyssa Healy’s every move. Will she sign off with another memorable knock? Can India spoil the farewell and level the series? With both sides boasting match-winners and the pink-ball conditions promising unpredictability, this Test is set up for a grandstand finish.
As of now, the action is underway at the WACA, with Australia having won the toss and chosen to field. Fans across the globe are glued to their screens, eager to see how this historic Test—and Alyssa Healy’s storied career—will be remembered. One thing’s certain: cricket’s oldest format still knows how to deliver the drama.