D/N game marks resumption of Test rivalry between India and Australia after 15 years
In a step which should mark yet another leap for women's cricket in India, the Indian women's team will, from Thursday at the Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast, play its first-ever pink ball day/night Test against mighty Australia.
The challenge that stares Mithali Raj & Co for the next four days, or perhaps less, can best be described as 'trial by fire'. After 14 days of quarantine since landing in Australia and a tough ODI series against the hosts, the only 'tryst' that they've had with the pink ball - which can be quite tricky - in terms of practice is two net sessions with it. Unlike in the case of the men's cricket, where the Duleep Trophy has been held with the pink ball, Indian women's team has no experience to fall back upon with the pink ball in domestic cricket.
"In men's cricket, pink ball Tests have seen the ball dominate the bat. One hopes that this historic women's Test will see a better balance between the two. The Test could be a swansong for two all-time greats, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, in the game's longest format. A good performance by the Indian side will make this a memorable occasion for all.-TimesView"
In addition to that, the horrific memories of the Indian men's team's embarrassing capitulation in the pink ball day/night Test at Adelaide - they were skittled out for merely 36 by Australia's rampaging pacers and lost the game inside three days-are still fresh in everyone's mind. Like on that occasion, the Aussie women's team fast bowlers are itching to make life hell for India's batters on a pitch with a tinge of green. No wonder then, that the cynics are already predicting a rout in what would be Indian women's team's first Test against Australia in 15 years.
On match eve Mithali, like most batters, said that she was curious to see what the ball would do in the twilight period - when the pink ball becomes slightly difficult to spot and wickets fall in a heap. "To be very honest, I don't have the experience of playing with the pink ball. It is going to be my first (time) as well. I am quite curious to see around that period (twilight) when they say that it's going to be a little difficult. I can only say, when I experience it," said Mithali ahead of the landmark game. "Our first impression is that it moves around quite a bit," she added in the virtual presser.
"It is really exciting. India obviously is a great cricketing nation. They love their cricket and to have them playing a Test match is super exciting," said Australian captain Meg Lanning said at the pre-match media interaction.
She hoped for more India-Australia Tests in the future. "We're all looking forward to kicking off the first of many to come. Hopefully, it's not just a one-off, and we can go and play a Test in India over the next few years. I think that would be a really cool thing to do so, hopefully it's just the start of something really special," said Lanning, whose team is playing in only its second pink ball Test since 2017.
In a big blow to the Aussies, vice-captain Rachael Haynes has been ruled out of the game due to a hamstring injury.
While the odds are stacked against them, there are still a few things which should boost India's confidence. A couple of months back, they played a one-off Test against England in Bristol - their first Test in seven years - and, riding on debutant Sneh Rana's heroics with the bat on the final day, managed to earn a creditable draw.
