Four decades ago, Indian women cricketers made their Test debut in England at Wetherby, returning home with a draw that set the stage for future generations.
Since that initial match, India has participated in eight additional Tests in England. However, the upcoming four-day match, commencing on Friday, holds special significance as it marks the first women’s Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Following a disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup at the same venue, where they were eliminated in the league stage, captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s team is eager to bounce back. They aim to extend their remarkable unbeaten Test record in England, which has remained intact for 40 years.
India has never faced defeat in a women’s Test on English soil, with victories at Taunton in 2006 and Wormsley in 2014, while the other seven encounters have ended in draws, including their last match against England in Bristol in 2021.
“This Test match represents a significant moment for us. A victory here would greatly benefit the team. After the T20 World Cup, everyone felt disheartened about not performing to our potential. We had our moments, but as a collective, we fell short. This Test match gives us an opportunity to rectify that. If we play cohesively, support one another, and win, it could restore our confidence and help us in future tournaments,” Harmanpreet Kaur expressed on Thursday.
The squad aiming to maintain this unbeaten streak includes several players from the previous Test encounter between the two teams. However, India has already experienced a setback, as Pratika Rawal has been ruled out due to a knee injury. Rawal had been one of the standout performers in India’s substantial defeat to Australia in Perth, where she scored 63 runs in the second innings.
“We did our utmost to make her comfortable and prepare for this match. Unfortunately, she isn’t fit enough to play. Nonetheless, we have other players who are performing well in practice, and I’m hopeful they can step in effectively,” Harmanpreet noted.
In Rawal’s absence, India may choose to either bring Priya Punia into the number three position or utilize Harleen Deol’s experience there. The batting duties will again rely heavily on the shoulders of Harmanpreet, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Shafali Verma.
Harmanpreet and Mandhana are the only remaining players from the 2014 victory, and the chance to secure another win in England, especially at Lord’s, will serve as additional motivation over the next four days.
India also has the option to refresh their bowling lineup, with fast bowler Sayali Satghare and off-spinner Sneh Rana available for selection. Satghare showcased her talent at Perth with impressive figures of 4 for 50 in the first innings, potentially adding depth to the bowling attack.
Additionally, the team hopes that left-arm spinner Sree Charani, who excelled during the T20 World Cup, can carry her momentum into the Test arena if she makes her debut at Lord’s.
“Charani is undoubtedly one of our key bowlers. Her performances in the T20 World Cup and prior have instilled confidence in the team. She consistently delivers when we need breakthroughs, making her presence invaluable,” Harmanpreet emphasized.
The captain also highlighted the necessity for more domestic red-ball cricket. “We require domestic matches with the red ball, as we previously had. Recently, the focus has shifted more towards white-ball formats. However, the board is now showing a renewed interest in red-ball cricket, and we anticipate a revival of domestic competitions in that format.”
This match will also signify the conclusion of Tammy Beaumont’s international career, capping a remarkable 17-year tenure during which she played 11 Tests, 140 ODIs, and 109 T20Is for England.
For Harmanpreet’s squad, Friday represents more than just an opportunity to uphold their unbeaten Test record in England; it is a chance to make their first match at Lord’s another milestone in the team’s evolving history.
Shankar Narayan, based in Mumbai, has over five years of journalism experience, covering topics from the Ranji Trophy to ICC World Cups, with extensive writing on women’s cricket.
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