Indian Women last took the field in the whites in November 2014 against the Proteas Women in Mysore, India. Now, they are ready to grace the format again, after seven long years.
They will face the English Women in one off-test from 16th to 19th June 2021 at Bristol. The most interesting fact is, Indian Women are undefeated in Tests in England. Out of the 8 completed matches, they have won two and drawn six. The other interesting fact is, Indians have won their last three tests and are eyeing on the fourth.
Owing to this special comeback, India women’s and men’s vice-captains, Harmanpreet Kaur and Ajinkya Rahane, indulged into a conversation about how to fare in the upcoming game starting 16th June 2021. It would be a challenge for the women to perform strongly because of lack of fixtures, but the team has got some experienced women like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur, Punam Raut, Ekta Bisht, Smriti Mandhana, Poonam Yadav, Shikha Pandey, and many young sensations like Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Priya Punia, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav and a few others. Irrespective of the result to follow, it will be an exciting contest to face a better experienced English side on their soil.
The Indian squad consists of only eight women who have previously played at least one test match. On the other hand England has eleven such players.
India’s non-debutants: Mithali Raj (C), Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur, Punam Raut, Smriti Mandhana, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav and Shikha Pandey.
England’s non-debutants: Heather Knight (C), Natalie Sciver, Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Geogia Elwiss, Amy Jones, Anya Shrubsole, Frank Wilson, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Winfield Hill.
Given all this, though the Indian women lack game time practice ahead of this fixture, the vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur is confident about the team’s mental preparations to come out on the top. More than a win, loss or draw, what is important is the growth of Women’s cricket. As it is said “take one step at a time”, so this Test match can be that ‘one step’ to revive this format format of the Women’s game in India.
Top Indian players to watch out for:
Shafali Verma: Since she is an opener and there are three other possible openers in the mix, her place in the playing XI is a bit shaky, but if given a chance, she will be one of the players who will catch the attention of the viewers after having a stunning T20 career till now, with a staggering strike rate of 148 spread over 22 matches. Her power hitting abilities and the sheer ability to play according to the needs of the team makes her special.
Smriti Mandhana: She is one of the most, if not the most, versatile batter in the Indian side. She has fared pretty well in the Limited Over Internationals, especially in the ODIs and will be an important player on whom the success of the team would depend in this one off-test.
Jhulan Goswami: Over the years, she has been the backbone of the team’s bowling attack and continues to be so even at the age of 38. In the 10 tests she has played, she holds 40 wickets at an average of just 16.62 which involves two 4-fers, three 5-fers and one 10 wicket hall (both innings combined). This makes her an automatic selection for a top player to look out for.
Mithali Raj: After playing the same number of matches as Goswami, she has an outstanding batting average of 51.00 with a high score of 214 (vs. England in Taunton). She has had a long career which also makes her the most experienced batter amongst both the teams. Now approaching the end of her cricket career, it would be a great sight to see her succeed in last few Test matches as well.
Ekta Bisht/Poonam Yadav: Both of them have been an important part of the spin bowling attack of the limited overs team. But, only one might get the chance to feature in this test, which shall depend on the overall combination of the team. Bisht and Yadav averages 21.07 (61 matches) and 22.94 (50 matches) respectively in ODIs. Any of them being in the playing XI would give the Indians an upper hand if rain does not play a role.
probable playing xi:
INDIA:
Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues/Shafali Verma, Punam Raut, Mithali Raj (C), Harmanpreet Kaur, Taniya Bhatia (WK), Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Jhulan Goswami, Ekta Bisht, Pooja Vastrakar.
ENGLAND:
Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Heather Knight (C), Amy Jones (WK), Nat Sciver, Sophia Dunkley, Georgia Elwiss, Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross.
Jaanvi Singh 