India’s Test series victory in Australia will motivate us against England: Mithali Raj

India’s Women’s team is gearing up for an exciting cricket schedule. The players will be flying alongside the men’s team, on June 2 to the United Kingdom (UK) for a full-fledged tour. Unlike the men’s team who will be playing just Test matches, the Indian women’s team will face England Women in a lone Test match followed by three One Day Internationals and as many T20 Internationals.

This will the first time in seven years that India will play a Test fixture as they played their last game in the purest format in 2014 against South Africa. India’s Test skipper Mithali Raj is quite excited about playing Test cricket after a long time. The veteran batter feels that the women’s team can take inspiration for the men’s team to excel in the Test match.

Earlier this year, the Indian men’s team scripted history by winning the four-match Test series against Australia in Australia by 2-1. Raj was of the view that the victory will act as a motivation for the women’s team. The 38-year-old added that the main role of the senior players will be to help debutants like Shafali Verma, Taniya Bhatia, and Jemimah Rodrigues get accustomed to the Test format.

It is a way forward, getting a Test after a long gap: Mithali Raj

“It will be exciting to see these youngsters get a taste of Test cricket. We have had team discussions about the tour. It is wonderful to share your experience and prepare them mentally. When we hit the nets, all experienced teammates and the coaching staff will be there to guide the debutants. The way our men’s team won the Test series in Australia a few months ago will motivate us against England,” Mithali Raj told Hindustan Times.

Further, the Arjuna Award-winner backed the idea of Indian women playing more and more Test matches. Mithali believed that the Test format is the way to move forward and it is good for the players to get the exposure of playing with the red-ball. Notably, the Indian women’s team will be locking horns against Australia in their first pink-ball Test later this year.

“It is a way forward, getting a Test after a long gap. It is nice to include it in a bilateral series. In fact, more Tests should be played, they must be made a regular feature. Women’s cricket is followed passionately throughout the world now and generates interest. So, why not have Test cricket back? It is very good for the players to get this sort of exposure,” Raj concluded.