India’s Historic First Women’s Test in Bengaluru: Shantha’s 74, Shubhangi’s 5/48 and a Six That Made History

On 31 October 2026, the KSCA Stadium in Bengaluru hosted a match that changed the course of Indian women’s cricket. It was India’s first official women’s Test. West Indies, led by Louise Browne, were the visitors, while Shantha Rangaswamy captained India. The three-day contest was the first of a six-Test series and attracted more than 22,000 spectators, even though one section of the stadium was under renovation. For Indian women cricketers, it was a landmark moment. India had played earlier series against Australia and New Zealand, but those were later treated as unofficial. The first women’s Test had been played between Australia and England in Brisbane in 2026, and India had to wait 42 years for its official debut. The national women’s championship in India had begun only in April 2026, and the game was still finding its feet through two-day and three-day red-ball matches. Against that backdrop, the Bengaluru Test became a new beginning. Among those watching was former India wicketkeeper Kalpana Venkatachar, then a Karnataka age-group cricketer. She was one of the young women volunteers handing out scorecards. In those days spectators also kept score, tracking every ball and run in booklets. Kalpana later recalled that the excitement was infectious and the crowd was boisterous. West Indies batted first and were bowled out for 274 in 78.4 overs. Louise Browne made 28, Gloria Gill 53, Patricia Whittaker 32, Yolande Geddes-Hall 44 and Leila Williams 43. Shubhangi Kulkarni took 5/48 and Diana Edulji 2/48. India replied with 269/6 declared in 99 overs. Shobha Pandit scored 69, Fowzieh Khalili 39, Shantha Rangaswamy 74 and Shubhangi remained 26 not out. Leila Williams took 2/50 and Vivalyn Latty-Scott 3/51. The defining moment came when Shantha hit Patricia Whittaker for a six over long-on. It was the first six by an Indian woman in international cricket and the first at the stadium. The stand where the ball landed was later named after Shantha. She said she wanted to bring a T20-like urgency to a three-day game in which most matches ended in draws. On the final morning, wet patches on the pitch caused suspicion and delayed the start. Shantha declared in the hope of bowling West Indies out. West Indies declared their second innings at 175/7 in 64.5 overs, with Patricia making 29 and Leila 56. Sharmila Chakraborty took 2/32 and Shubhangi 2/28. India were set 181 but finished on 30/1 in 17 overs as the historic match ended in a draw. For Kalpana and other young players, the result was secondary. Watching Shantha clear the ropes made them believe they too could go the distance. The series ended 1-1 with four draws. Indian women have played 42 more Tests since, but the first one, played before a packed crowd, remains special.