Jemimah Rodrigues, India’s composed middle-order anchor, stole the spotlight in her post-stumps Day 1 press conference after the thrilling opening to the pink-ball Test at W.A.C.A., Perth. Top-scoring with 52 off 84 balls as India crumbled to 198 all out, Rodrigues dissected the spongy wicket, debutant heroics, and the evenly poised contest against Alyssa Healy’s swansong Australia in this decisive multi-format series finale.
India’s tour, spanning February 15 to March 9, 2026, has been a rollercoaster. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side snatched the T20I series 2-1, winning the opener by 21 runs (DLS), losing the second by 19, and clinching the decider by 17. But Australia whitewashed the ODIs, prevailing by 6 wickets, 5 wickets, and a massive 185 runs. The multi-format ledger sits at 8-4 for the hosts, with this four-point Test offering India a shot to level it.
Alyssa Healy, in her 299th and final international outing before retirement, won the toss and bowled first on a tricky surface. Annabel Sutherland’s 4/46 from 17 overs, Lucy Hamilton’s 3/31 on debut, and Darcie Brown’s 2/41 dismantled India in 62.4 overs. Shafali Verma (35 off 48), debutant Kashvee Gautam (34* off 54), and skipper Kaur (19 off 15) fought back, but Rodrigues’ gritty half-century stood tallest.
Australia closed Day 1 at 96/3, trailing by 102, with Ellyse Perry (43* off 62) and Sutherland (20* off 29) unbeaten. India’s debutant pacers shone: Sayali Satghare (2/24 off 8), Kranti Gaud (1/28 off 11), and Gautam (0/29 off 7). Rodrigues praised their fire: “Very impressed, to be honest, it’s a very inexperienced squad, but at the same time, they have a lot of fire and determination while playing.”
On the batting challenges, Rodrigues nailed it: “It was a bit challenging. I’ve played at the WACA before but today was a bit like a spongy wicket. Plus, I think Annabel Sutherland was bowling really well, so she’s getting the ball to move both ways.” She credited smart plans post-settling in, highlighted by four boundaries off Alana King: “My plan was simple, to play according to merit, respect the good balls. If they bowl a loose ball, in my strength area, I’m going to go for it.”
Day 2 twisted the plot. Perry (76 off 116) and Sutherland (129 off 171), her third straight Test ton, with 17 fours, forged 128 for the fourth wicket, the second highest for the 4th wicket in pink-ball women’s Tests. Australia reached 323 all out, leading by 125. Hamilton added 23 at No. 10. India’s bowlers struck back: Satghare (4/50 off 18.4), Gaud (2/72 off 22), Deepti Sharma (2/67), Sneh Rana (1/64), Shafali (1/12), and Gautam (0/46).
India’s reply faltered to 105/6 in 29 overs, trailing by 20 at stumps. Hamilton (3/32 off 8), Sutherland (2/15 off 6), and Brown (1/37 off 9) prowled. Rodrigues, with 14 off 15 in her second dig, saw the game as 50-50: “I think both are equally in the game. Our pace bowlers really bowled well.” Healy’s early dismissal thrilled her: “That’s crucial, we know what she can do with the bat.”
Rodrigues lauded Sutherland’s growth, “one of the best all-rounders, very professional”, and spotted promise in Hamilton: “She gives me similar vibes of Sutherland, you know, just a younger version.” Her prep? Brutal nets: “Our sidearm specialists don’t make it easy. Once you put yourself in a challenging situation, going out inside, I find it a lot easier.”
With four debutants, Pratikha Rawal, Gautam, Satghare, and Gaud for India and Hamilton for Australia, this Test pulses with youth and stakes. Rodrigues’ poise amid collapse signals India’s fightback potential in Healy’s farewell.
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