India Women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur throughout a follow session forward of a one-off cricket take a look at match between India Women and England Women, at DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai on Dec. 13, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Without hiding her want to see extra Tests being performed in ladies’s cricket house, captain Harmanpreet Kaur on December 13 admitted that India may have to play a lead position to make it a actuality via constant performances.
After a spot of practically 9 years, India will probably be taking part in a Test at dwelling after they take on England in a one-off match right here on the DY Patil Stadium.
India’s final Test at dwelling befell in November 2014 in opposition to South Africa at Mysore.
“Talking about women’s cricket, it is improving day-by-day In India. A lot of people are coming to watch the match which we saw in the last T20Is,” Kaur informed the media on the eve of the match.
“Everyone in the world…they want to play in India. In India, things are changing quickly when it comes to cricket. A lot of people are extending their love and we are also trying to improve. We have an opportunity to take women’s cricket as high as we can.
“I know that a lot hinges on the Indian cricket team when it comes to women’s cricket. The way the approach is changing in India concerning women’s cricket, obviously, we have a lot in our hands,” Kaur added.
With India making a return to the Test area after September 2021, Kaur mentioned as gamers they want to seem in additional long-format matches however the directors have to make the ultimate name.
“As players we want to play more and more Test games. It is ICC and (the) board’s call to take up,” she mentioned.
Kaur mentioned she was feeling higher after twisting her foot within the third T20I in opposition to England.
“There was a little bit of soreness but I am feeling better now,” Kaur mentioned.
Kaur mentioned the swap between white and the pink ball codecs, given there was solely a three-day break between the T20Is and the Test, could be difficult for the gamers.
“I know, after (playing) white ball cricket it will be a little challenging. The bowling unit got 10-15 days to prepare. They understood how the red ball behaves. As batting and bowling units we have tried to cover up as much as we could,” she mentioned.
Kaur mentioned altering the mindset shortly could be helpful.
“We want to play positive cricket and that is something that we have discussed in the team meeting as well. It is all about (the) mind game.
We cannot keep thinking that we played a Test match two years ago and some girls are new in the side. The only change is that the (colour of) the ball has changed but the approach will be the same,” she mentioned.
“The area placements and bowling could be attacking and now we have mentioned about profitable the periods too. Hopefully, no matter now we have ready within the final two days, we will probably be ready to execute it within the center,” she mentioned.
Kaur admitted to feeling ‘butterflies in the stomach’ as this would be the first time she could be main the nation in Tests.
“Butterflies are always there, no matter how much you have played. There is always excitement and nervousness when you go to the ground. When you play one ball, you get totally involved in the game,” she mentioned.
“(The) last Test I missed because of injury and this time there is an opportunity to lead the team. The talk has been about being positive and playing with excitement,” Kaur added.
With home stalwart Amol Muzumdar in cost as head coach, Kaur mentioned his message to the gamers has been easy — stick to their respective video games.
“The best thing he said was, go with your best batting style and don’t think about changing it because it is red-ball cricket,” she mentioned.
“If you are an aggressive batter, play aggressively. If you like to build your innings, then do that. You need not think about too many things,” she added.
