Harmanpreet details challenges ahead of much-awaited home Test season
Test cricket will feature for the first time in India women's home season since 2014 when they take on England and Australia. In 2014, they defeated South Africa by an innings and 34 runs in Mysore.
They’ve played only two Tests since, both away fixtures, against England and Australia in 2021. The side performed well in both games and managed to walk away with honours even.
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Harmanpreet who has featured in merely three Tests in her career so far, was enthusiastic about featuring in a home Test for the first time since 2014.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, she said that there was excitement about the upcoming Tests, but at the same time, the side faced the challenge of having not played any red-ball cricket in recent times.
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“The Test series is something which we are really looking forward to because I haven't played in front of a home crowd [since featuring against South Africa], so I'm really excited for that," Harmanpreet said. “The challenge for us is that we haven't played with the red ball.
“We have been playing with the white ball for so many years, even in domestic cricket also we don't have red-ball cricket back home. So the challenge for us is to make yourself ready in such a short time.”
While the all-rounder, in the middle of a busyWomen’s Big Bash Leaguecampaign, wished to get some red-ball practice before the Tests, it turned out to be an impractical consideration.
“I had that thought if I can simultaneously do some red-ball practice also, but because it's such a packed schedule you can't mix things.
“We're playing T20 cricket and the Test game is a totally different kind of game, so I didn't want to mix it. When I'm going back, I have ten days to prepare myself.”
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England’s tour of India is slated to begin from 6 December with a three-game T20I series. They will feature in a one-off four-day Test from 14-17 December at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Australia will tour next, beginning with a four-day Test at the Wankhede stadium from 21-24 December. This will be followed by an ODI and T20I series between the two sides.