The Indian women’s hockey team lost 2-3 against hosts Australia to share the four-match friendly series 2-2 in Perth on Saturday (May 30, 2026).

India came out strongly in the contest, taking a 1-0 lead in just the second minute when Navneet Kaur converted a penalty corner to put early pressure on Australia.

In the second quarter, Deepika Soreng (23th) doubled India’s lead with a neat conversion. It remained 2-0 at half-time.

Australia fought back in the third quarter, levelling through strikes from Abby Wilson (42nd) and Olivia Downes (44th) in quick succession.

A late strike from Courtney Schonell (58th) gave the hosts a narrow 3-2 win.

Despite the result, India can take plenty of positives from the tour.

Having bounced back from an opening-game defeat to win the next two matches, the Indian team demonstrated resilience, tactical discipline and a potent attacking threat throughout the series, continuing to build ahead of the upcoming season that begins with the FIH Nations Cup in New Zealand.

India had lost 1-2 against Australia in the series opener but bounced back strongly to beat the hosts 4-2 in shootout after both the sides were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time in the second match.

India then defeated Australia in the third match to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

The Indians have impressed in most aspects of the game in the tour so far, especially in defence and midfield.

The tour Down Under served as important preparation ahead of the Women’s Nations Cup in Auckland from June 15-21.

The ongoing tour also holds greater significance ahead of the World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15-30.

The upcoming Nations Cup will be India’s opportunity to earn back promotion to the FIH Pro League for the 2026-27 season, which will also be a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Pacer Arundhati Reddy’s four-wicket haul in India’s win in the first women’s T20I against Australia was a reflection of her preparedness, said bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi in Canberra on Wednesday (February 19, 2026).

Arundhati claimed 4/22 to help India bowl Australia out for a mere 133 and win the contest by 21 runs via DLS Method in Sydney to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

“Arundhati is a very hard-working girl. She comes prepared for any of the tournaments that she comes into,” Salvi told reporters on the eve of the second T20I here.

“To pick up those four wickets in a very important game, it was actually a pleasing thing for all of us because we know how hardworking she is.

“(In) the World Cup, she didn’t get a game, (but) she was still preparing herself during the WPL. She got an opportunity and then come to Australia, she started off from where she left in the last Australia series when she got four wickets at Perth,” said Salvi, recalling Arundhati’s 4/26 at the WACA in third ODI in December 2024.

Australia were placed comfortably at 68/2 when Arundhati was introduced in the eighth over. She accounted for Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham and Darcie Brown as the hosts were shot out for an under-par total.

“She was spot-on (with) the plans. She was very confident with what she wanted to achieve of that game. When she came into bowl, the run rate was a bit going at a brisk space.

“She executed her plans so well and when she got four for 22, I was so happy for her,” Salvi added. Salvi said preparing well for the tour helped India get off to a winning start.

“That win in Sydney will be a confidence-booster for the entire team because we came early and prepared for the tour. There was prep at North Sydney. We played a game against Governor General and then we got an opportunity to play the 1st T20I,” he said.

“… You come to Australia, have your practice sessions under your belt, and then you get an opportunity to play at the centre, (a) game against a proper competitive game against a competitive team.

“That gives us a chance to explore and experience, (and) execute (those) plans we wanted to execute into the main game,” Salvi added.

Middle-order batter Raghvi Bist hit a fighting 93 while tailender VJ Joshitha (51) produced a fine half-century to script India A’s comeback in the one-off Women’s unofficial Test as the visitors posted a competitive 299 before reducing Australia A to 158 for 5 on the second day of the game on Friday (August 22, 2025).

India A were in a spot of bother after being reduced to 93 for 5 on the rain-truncated first day.

But Bist, who was on overnight 26, first shared 64 runs with Radha Yadav (33) for the sixth wicket and then stitched a 75-run stand with Minnu Mani (28) to take India out of trouble.

Bist admirably batted with the tail and decorated her 153-ball knock with 16 boundaries before being dismissed just seven runs short of a fine century. She was cleaned up by medium pacer Maitlan Brown in the 63rd over of India’s innings.

Mani too was soon cleaned up by Brown.

But Joshitha and Titas Sadhu (23) didn’t give up and shared valuable 75 runs for the ninth wicket to take India A close to the 300-run mark. Joshitha was bowled by off-spinner Lilly Mills. She found the fence seven times during her 72-ball stay.

Medium pacers Georgia Prestwidge (3/37) and Brown (3/65) shared six wickets between them for Australia A.

In reply, Australia A were struggling at 158 for 5 in 43 overs.

Medium pacer Saima Thakor (2/21) and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav (2/40) picked up two wickets each for India A, while Sadhu (1/27) accounted for the other Australian batter.

Skipper Tahila Wilson made 49 and along with Rachel Trenaman (21) added 46 runs for the opening stand.

At stumps, wicketkeeper Nicole Faltum (30 not out) and Sianna Ginger (24 not out) were at the crease.

Australia A still trail India A by 141 runs with two days play still remaining.

Brief Scores:

India Women’s A: 299 all out in 89.1 overs (Raghvi Bist 93, VJ Joshitha 51; Georgia Prestwidge 3/37, Maitlan Brown 3/65).

Australia Women’s A: 158 for 5 in 43 overs (Tahila Wilson 49, Nicole Faltum 30 not out; Saima Thakor 2/21, Radha Yadav 2/40).