Two Indian Women’s team cricketers who made their debuts together against England Women in Test cricket way back in 2002, will be having a go at the longest format once again when they play the one-off Tests against the same opponent in Bristol next month. Jhulan Goswami was one of the team, while the other was current Indian Eves’ skipper Mithali Raj. Fast bowler Jhulean is excited to be finally playing Test after the wait of six long years.
“Getting to play a Test after such a long time has got me excited and nervous. There are lots of questions going through my mind now and I am sure of the other team members too,” Jhulan was quoted as saying to Hindustan Times.
Questions such as adaptability to situation and conditions of the pitch, concentration for 90 overs and remaining focussed and patient at the same time are the ones that Jhulan pointed out as challenges. But the 38-year-old believes that Tests are always won by bowlers and Indian bowlers would have to pull up their socks to the challenge ahead.
"There will be sessions when we won’t get a wicket and there will be sessions when all we get is a chance and we have to take it. So, mentally we have to be very strong and physically too because how else will you last a day and over the course of a game take 20 wickets? Tests are won by bowlers. Always,” she said.
"White-ball cricket has got them all to play those deliveries outside off-stump. It is one of the habits that will need to be controlled. So, it is a challenge for all of us," added Goswami who is the leading wicket-taker in the world in ODI cricket with 233 scalps from 186 matches.
India Women have overall played 36 Tests till now, winning five and losing four, while 27 matches resulted in a draw. In the last three Tests though, the Mithali Raj led side have won all which include two against England Women and one against Proteas Women. However, what perturbed is the fact that among the 36 Tests, India played 26 in the last century and have been able to play just 11 this century and that haunts Goswami.
The right-arm seamer who has 40 Tests wickets in 10 games at 16.62 wickets apiece, believes that apart from Australia, no other team gives importance to Test cricket and thus there is actually no competitor against which India Women could play.
“So every country, barring England and Australia who play Tests because of the Ashes, has prioritised them over Tests. It is not just about blaming BCCI for not arranging Tests for women, India also need to have opponents to play with," she said.