India’s women’s team suffered a crushing 10-wicket loss to Australia in the Pink Ball Test at W.A.C.A., Perth, on March 8, 2026, marking their first defeat in the format in 20 years since February 2006.
Head coach Amol Muzumdar’s post-match press conference captured the disappointment while highlighting the grit of his young side, especially four debutants, amid tough conditions. This rout sealed a dominant multi-format series win for Australia (12-4 points), capping Alyssa Healy’s 299th and final international appearance.
The tour began with India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, edging a 2-1 T20I series victory, after 10 years since 2016, winning the opener by 21 runs (DLS), losing the second by 19 runs, and clinching the decider by 17 runs. Australia then whitewashed the ODIs, prevailing by 6 wickets, 5 wickets, and a massive 185 runs, tilting the overall scoreline 8-4 before the Test.
Alyssa Healy’s retirement added emotional weight, as Australia, under her captaincy, chased down 25 runs in just 4.3 overs after India folded for 149 in their second innings during the first session of Day 3.
Australia’s Healy won the toss and bowled first, skittling India for 198 in 62.4 overs. Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with 52 (84 balls), supported by Shafali Verma (35 off 48), debutant Kashvee Gautam (34* off 54), and Harmanpreet (19 off 15). Annabel Sutherland (4/46) led Australia’s attack, with debutant Lucy Hamilton (3/31) and Darcie Brown (2/41) starring with the ball.
Australia ended Day 1 at 96/3, trailing by 102, as Ellyse Perry (43* off 62) and Sutherland (20* off 29) added 38 unbroken. India’s bowlers fought back: debutants Sayali Satghare (2/24), Kranti Gaud (1/28), alongside Kashvee Gautam (0/29). On Day 2, Perry (76 off 116) and Sutherland (129 off 171, with 17 fours) forged a 128-run stand, the second-highest 4th-wicket partnership in pink-ball Women’s Tests, pushing Australia to 323, before getting bundled out.
Sutherland became the first woman with centuries in three straight Tests; Perry crossed 1,000 Test runs, the second Australian after Karen Rolton, eventually becoming the leading run-scorer for Australia in the format. Satghare (4/50) and Gaud (2/72) impressed for India. The visitors slumped to 105/6 (trailing by 20) at stumps, but Pratika Rawal (63 off 137) and Sneh Rana (30 off 54) fought valiantly before the 149 all out. Sutherland earned Player of the Match for her all-round brilliance: 129 and 4/46 in the first innings plus 2/15 in India’s second stint with the bat.
Muzumdar lauded the debutants’ spirit. “I thought they were fantastic. Pratika showed the guts and determination, getting a half-century here at WACA in the second innings. Kranti Gaud was bowling her heart out, and also Kashvee Gautam and Sayali Satghare. We showed a lot of character and heart.”
He acknowledged Australia’s edge without excuses, “A bit disappointing with the result, but really happy with the fight that we showed, credit to Australia, they were brilliant in this test match.” On the pink ball’s swing under lights, he noted, “Pink ball was a different challenge, the ball moved quite considerably, but that’s the way it is, a pink ball test match is always exciting.”
Amol Muzumdar pushed for more Tests, echoing dressing-room sentiment, “More the merrier, a four-day test match or a five-day test match, is always a healthy sign for cricket.” He suggested practice games amid the packed schedule but stressed adaptation to WACA’s seam-friendly pitch.
India’s last Test win over Australia came by 8 wickets at Wankhede in December 2023, ending a long drought. This Perth humbling underscores the format’s rarity and challenge, but Muzumdar’s words signal resilience for future battles.
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