Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium to host India-Australia women’s Test in December

The iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is set to take centre stage once again as it plays host to an exciting clash between the India women’s cricket team and their Australian counterparts. Scheduled for December 2023, this one-off Test match is part of a riveting all-format tour that will see both teams battling it out across various venues in the vibrant city of Mumbai. In addition to the Test match, the Wankhede Stadium will also witness the thrill of a three-match ODI series, providing fans with plenty of cricketing excitement.

The upcoming one-off Test holds special significance as it marks the return of women’s Test cricket on Indian soil after a gap of nearly a decade. The last women’s Test match hosted by India was in November 2014 against South Africa in Mysore. Meanwhile, for the Australian women’s team, the Wankhede Stadium holds nostalgic memories as their last Test match on Indian soil took place at this very venue back in 1984.

All-format-series catching up heat in women’s cricket

The concept of an all-format series, where teams compete across different formats with a combined scoreline, has gained popularity in women’s cricket, reminiscent of the fiercely contested Ashes series. The success of such a series has paved the way for more of these exciting encounters in the women’s game. Fans with a keen memory will recall the thrilling showdown between India and Australia during their all-format tour in 2021.

The Women in Yellow emerged victorious with an 11-5 margin, but the one-off pink ball Test ended in a dramatic draw, leaving fans hungry for more exhilarating cricketing action. It’s worth noting that the Wankhede Stadium is currently playing host to the 2023 ODI World Cup, underlining its status as an iconic cricketing venue. This revered ground is slated to host India’s league-stage clash against Sri Lanka and one of the two semi-finals, adding to its rich cricketing legacy.