The Indian women’s cricket team is currently hosting South Africa for a multi-format series from June 16 to July 9. India has swept the three-match One Day International (ODI) series 3-0 and now shifts their focus to the longer format of the game. Ahead of the one-off, four-day red-ball Test match from June 28 to July 1, Indian women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar addressed the media’s questions in a press meet.
Muzumdar believes that the Indian women’s cricket team has momentum going into the one-off test after winning the shorter formats of the game against Bangladesh and South Africa, though they are different formats than the Tests. He also believes that there’s scope for improvement in every department for the team.
“We do have the momentum – we won in Bangladesh, we won against South Africa,” Muzumdar said. “They are different formats, but at the same time, we are trying to focus on every game as it comes. The demands [of playing a Test] are different. I think the team is up for it and I think as far as improvement is concerned, I think all three departments – batting, bowling, and fielding, and fitness – four departments [can improve].”
The last time the Indian women’s team played the red-ball format was in December 2023, against Australia and England. Both one-off Test matches are historic in their own way, defeating England by 347 runs, marking the biggest win by runs in women’s Tests and their first home victory over England. The match against Australia also marked India’s maiden triumph against them in Test matches.
In the domestic scene, the last test format played was the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy in Pune in March-April, where most of the top players took part.
Muzumdar stated, “In December, we played against England and Australia, we played back-to-back Tests,” he said. “We are aware that red-ball cricket will be a part of women’s cricket going forward and hence I feel that the inter-zonal, which happened in March-April, was very critical. So that the players also get the message that it’s not just white-ball cricket or just T20s that we are focusing on. We are also focusing on the red-ball stuff, and I think they are aware, and they are ready and raring to go in the multi-day format. To adjust to that is a different story.”
He further added, “Those are the demands of modern-day cricket. You know you cannot escape that as a team. So, we try to cater to all the demands. It’s not easy, but at the same time it’s a challenge and we accept it as a challenge to adapt to different formats.”
Regarding the likes of Shubha Satheesh, Sneh Rana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Meghna Singh, who did not play the ODIs and will be coming in for the Test, Muzumdar said, “I think those four players are very important players. We did have a camp that happened at the NCA about 15 days back and they were specifically given red-ball stuff to be done in the camp, so they’re completely fresh and raring to go. Even when they’ve come here and [are] in the squad, we just had a practice session yesterday with those four players, and they look absolutely fine.”
Muzumdar suggested it’s not a bad idea to have Test Championships for women like they have for men. Adding that if it did happen, it’s even better for the game.
“It’s not a bad idea to have Test Championships,” he said. “That’s something to look forward to, but that is for the board to decide. And if it happens, it’s even better for the game. Test cricket is always special. We like to keep it that way, that you know every game is important [regardless of the context], whether it’s ODI, T20 or Test match. I know there is no Test Championship to look forward to, but at the same time, every game is important. We take part to win them.”
The one-off Test against the Proteas will take place at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The last time the Indian women’s team played a Test here was in 1976 against the West Indies, which ended in a draw. Muzumdar talks about the history that this stadium carries, “It’s an iconic ground; we are aware of the history it carries. Even though a lot of cricket has not been played here, we are aware of what the demands are — the pitch and the ground. We will try to cater to that,” he said.
On Shabnam Shakil, the 17-year-old uncapped player Muzumdar said, “She’s definitely a superb talent and that’s the reason she is here,” he said. “We’ve made a conscious decision of including her in the team so that she gets a feel of the dressing room and also the atmosphere and the culture that we’re building.”
After the one-off Test match, both teams will compete in three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) from July 5 to July 9, all taking place in Chennai.