In-form batter Yastika Bhatia and fast bowler Meghna Singh make their Test debut in the pink-ball Test against Australia. In Mithali Raj-led side's first pink-ball Test, there was a surprise exclusion. One of the heroes of Bristol Test draw, Sneh Rana did not make it into the team. Rana also played a crucial role in the third ODI run chase with a cameo. On the other hand, Rodrigues is yet to play her first match on the tour despite the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur.
Meg Lanning-led Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first in the day-night Test at Carrara Oval in Queensland. After winning the toss, Lanning said,
“We are going to bowl, the wicket looks fresh. We are really excited.”
Mithali Raj also said that she will would have elected to bowl first on this pitch.
Earlier, India's star batter Harmanpreet was ruled out of the pink-ball Test. Kaur had also missed the ODI series against Australia which concluded last week. On the eve of the match, Mithali had confirmed about the veteran's unavailability due to a thumb injury, which she suffered during the training.
Australia Playing XI- Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (C), Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Darcie Brown, Stella Campbell.
India Playing XI- Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Punam Raut, Mithali Raj (C), Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Tania Bhatia (Wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
