NEWS
Follow UsIndia Women are set to play a Test after almost seven years and the veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami is "excited and nervous" at the same time. India are scheduled to play a Test against England in Bristol in June and will reportedly play one more in Australia later this year. They last played a Test against South Africa in November 2014, which they won by an innings and 34 runs.
"Seven years is a long time and in all this while we focused on the shorter formats because of ICC events. To promote women’s cricket, the accent has been on the shorter formats. 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," Goswami told Hindustan Times.
"So, 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. Will we be able to adapt to the format because this won’t be an innings of 80 minutes? Will we be able to switch off and switch on at the right moments because no one can concentrate for 90 overs?
"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.
"Add to that, we will have a number of newcomers, so it will be a big challenge. 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."
Goswami and captain Mithali Raj made their Test debuts together against England in January 2002. The right-arm seamer has taken 40 wickets in 10 encounters at an impressive average of 16.62, while Raj has slammed 663 runs at an average of 51 in as many games. Apart from them, no other player in the squad has played more than two Tests, in fact, many of them are yet to get a taste of Test cricket.
"There will be responsibility on seniors to guide the young players, explain to them how situations change in Test cricket, when a partnership needs to be broken, how to build one. It is all about being alive to the situation because only then you increase your chances of making the right decision. Of course, there will be a lot of discussions so it is not just me who will be doing all this. But this is how you pass the baton," said Goswami.