On This Day: India Women played their first-ever international match against West Indies in 1976

Fifty years ago, on October 31, 1976, India Women played their first-ever international match against the West Indies at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Led by Shantha Rangaswamy, the Indian team stepped onto the field for the first match of a six-Test series. It was a historic moment for Indian cricket, as 11 players opened a new chapter for women's cricket in the country.

Among the players was 17-year-old Shubhangi Kulkarni, who made her Test debut at the age of 17 years and 104 days. She became the third-youngest player to make her debut in Women's Test cricket. Kulkarni went on to enjoy a 15-year international career and played an important role in the growth of Indian women's cricket. The match also featured sisters Diana Edulji and Behroze Edulji in the same playing XI.

Fifty years later, the series remains an important part of India's cricket history. At a time when women's participation in a demanding sport like cricket was still questioned, these players helped create opportunities for future generations. The warm support from crowds in Bengaluru and other venues, including Patna, also made the series memorable. Read the complete details and relive this historic moment in Indian women's cricket here.

India Women’s first international match: The historic start at Bangalore on 31 October 1976

It was a big day for Indian cricket and the beginning of a new revolution in women's sports. On October 31, 1976, around 20,000 spectators filled the stands at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to watch India Women play their first-ever international match against the West Indies. The crowd had gathered to support a team of women cricketers who had overcome many challenges to reach the international stage.

The historic first Test between India and the West Indies was played from October 31 to November 2, 1976. West Indies scored 274 in their first innings and declared their second innings at 175/7. In reply, India scored 269/6 declared in their first innings and reached 30/1 in the second innings while chasing a target of 181. The match ended in a draw, but its importance went far beyond the result. It marked the beginning of India's journey in international women's cricket.

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Today, players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues represent a generation that benefits from professional contracts, Women's Premier League deals and brand endorsements. However, the foundations of this growth were laid by Shantha Rangaswamy and her teammates. They played without financial rewards or proper facilities but helped create a path for future generations of Indian women cricketers.

Heroes of the first match: Shantha Rangaswamy’s 74 and Shubhangi Kulkarni’s five-wicket haul

The first-ever international Test match played by India Women against the West Indies featured some memorable individual performances. Captain Shantha Rangaswamy led from the front with a brilliant 74 off 99 overs at the crease, while Shobha Pandit also made an important contribution with 69 runs. Their batting helped India reach 269/6 in 99 overs before declaring their first innings. Shubhangi Kulkarni, who was just 17 years old at the time, also scored an unbeaten 26.

Kulkarni made an even bigger impact with the ball in the first innings. She picked up five wickets for 48 runs in 11.4 overs, helping India bowl out the West Indies for 274 in 78.4 overs. Gloria Gill was the visitors' top scorer with 53 runs, while Yolande Geddes-Hall contributed 44. Diana Edulji also supported the bowling attack with two wickets for 48 runs. Kulkarni's five-wicket haul was one of the key highlights of India's historic debut match.

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The West Indies declared their second innings at 175/7 after 64.5 overs, with Leila Williams scoring an unbeaten 56 and Patricia Whittaker adding 29 runs. Sharmila Chakraborty took two wickets, while Kulkarni picked up another two to finish with seven wickets in the match. India needed 181 runs to win but reached 30/1 in 17 overs before the match ended in a draw. Fowzieh Khalili remained unbeaten on 13, while Sudha Shah was not out on 11. Although the match did not produce a winner, Rangaswamy's 74 and Kulkarni's five-wicket haul became important highlights of India's first international Test appearance.

The growth of Indian women’s cricket in 50 years since the historic debut

Fifty years after India Women played their first-ever Test match against the West Indies in 1976, women's cricket in the country has reached new heights. The journey began under the captaincy of Shantha Rangaswamy, with the opening Test in Bengaluru ending in a draw in front of a crowd of around 22,000 spectators. India also recorded their first-ever Test victory a few weeks later, defeating the West Indies in the fourth Test at Patna, with Shubhangi Kulkarni playing an important role with the ball.

One of the biggest milestones came on July 14, 2026, when India Women defeated England by 270 runs in the first-ever women's Test match at Lord's. Smriti Mandhana scored 153 runs, while Yastika Bhatia made 113 to become the first woman to score a Test century at the iconic venue. Fast bowler Kranti Gaud also made history by becoming the first female bowler to feature on the Lord's Honours Board, after taking 5/37. Harmanpreet Kaur also became India's most successful women's Test captain with her fourth victory during the 2026 tour.

Several players from the early years also left their mark on Indian women's Test cricket. Shantha Rangaswamy became the first Indian woman to hit an international six and also scored India's first women's Test century. Shubhangi Kulkarni played 17 consecutive Tests for India and holds the record for the most wickets in a single Test series by an Indian woman, taking 23 wickets during the 1976–77 series. These achievements show how far Indian women's cricket has progressed since its historic beginning 50 years ago.