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The excitement unfolded at D.Y. Patil Stadium as India faced England in a thrilling one-off Test match today. After losing the T20 series 2-1, Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India made a strong statement in the Test format, amassing over 330 runs for the loss of six wickets by the end of day one.
The toss went in favour of Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who opted to bat first. The Indian batters showcased their prowess, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma opening the innings. However, Mandhana's early dismissal for 17 and Verma's departure at 19 brought England back into the game with India at 47/2.
Making her debut, Shubha Satish, along with Jemima Rodrigues, formed a crucial partnership, contributing 115 runs for the third wicket. Shubha scored an impressive 69 runs, while Jemima closely followed with 68 runs. The captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, then joined forces with Yastika Bhatia, adding 116 runs for the fifth wicket.
Harmanpreet's attacking style led to a well-played half-century, scoring 49 runs off 81 balls, before being dismissed. Yastika Bhatia also played a commendable innings, contributing 66 runs before getting out. At the end of the day, India reached a formidable score, putting them in a strong position against England.
This Test match marks the first encounter between the two women's teams in this format since June 2021, where the match ended in a draw. India has played 14 Tests against England since 1986, losing only one. Harmanpreet Kaur, captaining India in a Test for the first time, will aim to maintain this impressive record.
In the post-match interview, Harmanpreet expressed confidence in her team's performance and highlighted the significance of setting a competitive total. The match promises more excitement as it continues, with both teams eyeing victory after a hiatus of three years in Test cricket.
The 11 players for both teams are -
India:
Smriti Mandhana, Shefali Verma, Jemima Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Sneh Rana, Shubha Satish, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Thakur Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
England:
Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Heather Knight (C), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danielle Wyatt, Amy Jones (WK), Sophie Ecclestone, Charlotte Dean, Kate Cross, Lauren Winfield, Lauren Bell.
After facing England, team India is set to play two Tests against Australia at Wankhede Stadium between December 21 and 24.
