One-off Test for Indian women’s team hailed by Diana Edulji, Shantha Rangaswamy

Diana Edulji does a thumbs up as she gets vaccinated at Saifee Hospital, Marine Lines

The BCCI's announcement made on International Women's Day (March 8) relating to a one-off Test match against England this year, received a thumbs up from the Indian women's cricket fraternity.

On Monday, BCCI secretary Jay Shah tweeted: "On the occasion of #InternationalWomensDay, I'm pleased to announce that #TeamIndia @BCCIWomen will play a one-off Test match against @ECB_cricket later this year. The women in blue will be donning the whites again."

The Indian women's team last played in a Test match in 2014 - against South Africa at Mysore - which the hosts won by an innings and 34 runs.

The venue of the Test match has not been announced but it could be held in England, closer to the men's World Test Championship final in June.

Former India captain Diana Edulji welcomed BCCI's initiative to restart Test cricket. "It is a step in the right direction and the announcement couldn't have come on a better day. It is very important to have the Test format because it is a real test of skills. It builds temperament and character," Edulji, who managed the BCCI affairs for three years as a member of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators, told mid-day.

BCCI Apex Council member Shantha Rangaswamy, who led India to their first-ever Test victory against West Indies at Patna in 1976, was elated on hearing that Test cricket will be back for Team India. "The longest format of the game needs to be played so it's a welcome step. I am glad the English cricket board has agreed to play one. I think the BCCI may also contemplate a similar arrangement (of playing at least one Test as part of a tour) with Cricket Australia as they also play Test cricket. We should not forget the longest format," said Bangalore-based Rangaswamy.

Edulji and Rangaswamy were confident of a good showing from Team India despite the team not having played the longest format for six years.

"If India could win a Test match in England (2014 at Worsmley) with eight debutants, then anything can be possible. It is just a matter of time to get into the groove. And even if we don't win, it's fine. At least, a start has been made," said Edulji after taking her Covid-19 vaccine on Monday.

Rangaswamy said: "We played no international cricket when we started (in 1976). There were several Doubting Thomases when we played.

"Everyone said, 'oh these girls can't play.' And we proved every pundit wrong. If we had not played well in the initial years, women's cricket would have not picked up. Today, women's cricket has developed a solid base in India.
"Yes, they are not in touch, so it may take time, but there is nothing that cannot be overcome."
The Indian women's team have achieved five victories (two each against England and South Africa, and one against West Indies) in 36 Tests.
The eves have hardly got Test matches in a row. After India's first Test win in England in 2006, they got a game after eight years in 2014 (again in England).

Rangaswamy suggested a few practice games before they tour England. "Looking at the tight schedule, I don't know how that will be possible. In an ideal scenario, they should play a few three or four-day games in the build-up to the Test match," she said.