New Delhi: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed hope that the women’s team will get more opportunities to play Test cricket after leading the side to a historic 270 run victory over England in the first ever women’s Test at Lord’s.
Reflecting on the landmark win, Harmanpreet described playing at the iconic venue as a special experience and said she hoped the team would return for many more Tests in the future. She credited the occasion and the team’s performance as a memorable chapter in Indian women’s cricket.
The skipper praised wicketkeeper batter Yastika Bhatia for her match defining century, saying her inclusion in the playing eleven had been fully justified. Harmanpreet also highlighted the contributions of the opening batters, whose strong start laid the foundation for India’s commanding position in the match.
She said the victory was the result of a complete team effort, applauding the players for their outstanding fielding and their collective commitment throughout the contest. Harmanpreet also acknowledged the role of head coach Amol Muzumdar and the support staff, noting that their experience in red ball cricket helped the team adapt to the conditions and remain confident despite recent setbacks in white ball competitions.
India entered the Test after disappointing results in recent limited overs tournaments, making the dominant victory at Lord’s even more significant.
Player of the Match Kranti Gaud starred with the ball, claiming seven wickets in the match, including a five wicket haul in the first innings. She described having her name added to the Lord’s Honours Board as a dream come true and said it was a proud moment for both her and her family. Gaud added that she plans to preserve one of the match stumps in a small museum she has created at home.
England captain Nat Sciver Brunt admitted her team failed to adapt to the conditions early in the match and struggled to build meaningful partnerships with the bat. She said England would have benefited from additional practice before the Test but acknowledged that adapting quickly is part of the challenge of international cricket.
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