It is the first time in 20 years that the Indian women’s team is playing a Test match without veterans Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, both of whom have retired.
The last time India’s women’s justice platoon played a Test match at home, back in November 2014, Mithali Raj was the captain, and Smriti Mandhana was taking baby way in the transnational arena.
It was a remarkable time for the platoon as it played two four-day Tests in five months — against England in Wormsley and against South Africa in Mysuru and went on to win both. After an inconceivable high, one anticipated the platoon to have further openings in the longer format.
Still, it took them another seven times to point in a Test match. In 2021, when the women’s platoon eventually got another chance to slip the whites —against England and Australia —Mithali and Jhulan Goswami were at the grubber end of their careers, and Mandhana was formerly a seasoned contender. But as Goswami says, “ We were really happy to have eventually slipped the whites. That’s a commodity we’ve always craved in our long careers. ”
In the forthcoming two weeks, India’s women’s justice platoon, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, is set for an instigative home series. It’ll face redoubtable opponents, England and Australia, in two Test matches in Mumbai, as well as an expansive T20I series against both brigades. This marks a significant occasion as the Women in Blue haven’t had such a packed home season in quite a while. The forthcoming matches, along with the posterior Women’s Premier League in February, have generated enthusiasm among stakeholders. “ This is a huge occasion for us because we’re getting so numerous matches. We need to prepare well, ” says youthful-rounder Kanika Ahuja.
Between December 5, 2013, and December 5, 2023, India’s women’s justice platoon shared in 132 T20Is, with 36 matches held at home. In discrepancy, it played only four Tests during this period. also, the platoon engaged in 98 ODIs, including 34 matches on home turf, securing palm in 59 cases. Just to put effects into perspective, in the once decade, the England women’s platoon has shared in 111 T20Is, nine Tests, and 102 ODIs. Meanwhile, Australia played 118 T20Is, seven Tests, and 93 ODIs during the same period. South Africa’s women’s platoon engaged in 111 T20Is, two Tests, and 122 ODIs between December 5, 2013, and December 5, 2023.
Despite putting up a fairly harmonious show, the Indian women players have regretted a lack of game time for some time now. “ At one point in time, there was a huge challenge. In our time, we’d slightly play one series at a time, and in case someone was injured, her season would end with no transnational assignments. There have been several times where we’ve played a solitary series in the entire time, and that was it. ”
“After 2014, there was a time when Mithali and I would frequently feel that we’d no way get a chance to slip the whites again. But also, in 2021, we played two Test matches against England and Australia. It was a huge moment for all of us, and those two games assured me that there would be more red-ball justice going forward. That was the turning point, ” she says.
Goswami believes the players are more set for the red-ball challenge this time. “ After the last edition’s WPL, the players got an idea about how to recover snappily in a short period. And this time, the girls knew the timetable well in advance — in terms of both transnational and domestic assignments and that has helped them prepare well for the two big series against England and Australia, ” the former India captain says.
Leading up to the series against England, India’s A side, which consisted of many members from the elderly platoon, was involved in a three-match T20 series against England. Though India lost the series 1- 2, it was a literacy experience ahead of a long season. “ I liked the way the windows were used. We had a short window to have a short game in Bengaluru, where the top 30 players were divided into brigades, and they got some practice games. This experience will help in the Tests against England and Australia. Indeed in terms of domestic and T20 series, they were slotted well. The home games also give you a chance to strengthen your bench, ” says Nooshin Al Khadeer, the India A platoon trainer.
Coming from a generation that faced challenges in carrying sufficient transnational game openings, Nooshin recognizes the significance of having a lesser number of matches.
“Creating bench strength is important because it’s the graduation for the girls to reach an advanced position. We had domestic matches at different venues and that gave the girls an idea about different lattices. also to have a series against England and Australia, followed by the WPL, is a great literacy experience, ” she says.
“Back in our time, we played a lot of days ’ justice. So, now with two Tests coming in, the girls get an occasion to play both white-ball and red-ball, and when you play red-ball justice, it helps in understanding your disposition. From 2003, we played quite a many Tests against England, Australia, and South Africa, and now to see that passing again is a huge thing. ”
Since Nooshin works largely with the age-group brigades, she believes that such a long series also helps in developing the game at the grassroots, as quite a many players who wouldn’t be knitter- made for the longer format could be prepared for the red-ball. “ It opens up the channel, ” she says.
Last December, India hosted Australia for an extended white-ball series. Both DY Patil Stadium and Brabourne Stadium witnessed full crowds, which also contributed to the success of the WPL, with suckers turning up in significant figures for all the games.
Stakeholders anticipate a positive addict response as big-ticket women’s justice returns to Mumbai after a time. From Mithali and Goswami championing for further matches to the current script of the girls enjoying a packed home season, Indian women’s justice has, indeed, come a long way. Know More Latest Women’s Cricket News…
