Follow UsAfter a disappointing three-match T20I series, where India women lost 2-1, they had a point to prove in the one-off Test against England. It is a rare occasion where Indian women play Tests, and more rare when they play the longest format at home. The clash against England was for them to show the world that there should be more red-ball clashes between countries.
But with not too much red-ball experience, it needed an experienced head in the form of Amol Muzumdar to make crucial decisions for Harmanpreet Kaur and co. Harmanpreet, in the post-match press conference, stated that the Mumbaikar’s experience really came in handy, stating that it was he who wanted to bring in Shubha Satheesh in the playing XI.
“I did not have any red ball captaincy experience so I trusted him with key decisions like bringing Shubha in to bat one down, or the bowling strategies. Even today, the first 40 minutes were key and he believed we should capitalise on the conditions in the morning here and we did the same. His (Amol Muzumdar) experience really helped us,” Harmanpreet Kaur said in the post-match press conference.
India made the fullest use of conditions in play, batting to the tilt in the first inning, where they scored 428 runs, where four batters scored over 60. Harmanpreet stated that the bowlers knew their plans in the second innings but reckoned that ‘fielding’ was the major differentiator.
"We made the runs we wanted to make and the bowlers backed us in every department. They knew their plans.," she said before adding, "The biggest positive for our team is our fielding. When you're fielding for 90-odd overs, it is important to maintain energy and we did that. The fielding set the tone and everything else fell into place."
India started day three on 186/6, with suggestions that they would add more runs before declaring on the third day. However, what India did stunned the English side as India came out declaring overnight, leaving England to tackle the hard yards. Harmanpreet also opened up on the ‘aggressive’ field setups, where there were plenty of fielders under the lid.
"We get that sense from when we bat. And credit to our bowlers because they adapted to the fields we were setting and going according to the plans laid out. We sometimes do it just to play mind games with the opponent. We saw that there was a phase where England wanted to sweep against the offspinner and so we kept the short square leg for that phase which made that ploy difficult for them. After all that, it is important to bowl in the right areas and execute their plans."
However, having said that Harmanpreet reckoned that there is no room for ‘personal milestones’, adding that they were looking for a lead of over 500 runs but were pegged back due to some early breakthroughs. The Indian skipper mentioned that it was in the ‘plan’ to give the bowlers the early 40 minutes in the morning with conditions helping them.
"At the same time, when we batted second, we were looking for a lead of 500, we get extra safety with regard to runs and then we tried harder. Unfortunately we lost early wickets in the second innings. We were still in a good place. So there was a thought to keep individual milestones on the side and look for what works best for the team. More than us batting, it was important to give the bowlers those 40 minutes in the morning to make best use of the conditions... So we backed that plan."