It is a momentous occasion. India are playing their first women's Test at home since 2014 - the first time they will take the field in whites after the retirements of Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. It also happens to be England's 100th in the format. (Streaming | Preview | Cricket News)
In the lead-up to the rare home women's Test match, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur sounded optimistic about the future of the game in the country. “Talking about women's cricket, it is improving day-by-day In India. A lot of people are coming to watch the match which we saw in the last T20Is,” Kaur told the media on the eve of the match.
She added that the responsibility of taking things forward rests with her team. “I know that a lot hinges on the Indian cricket team when it comes to women's cricket. The way the approach is changing in India concerning women’s cricket, obviously, we have a lot in our hands,” Kaur said.
“As players we want to play more and more Test games. It is ICC and (the) board's call to take up,” she added.
On the eve of the match, Kaur struck an iconic pose outside the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, where the match will be held. In a photo posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by the BCCI Women handle, Kaur is seen gazing into the cricket field with her back to the camera.
What caught the eye of the fans is Kaur's jersey number 7, which instantly reminded them of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's jersey number. An X user commented: "Jersey no 7. Message is clear. Thala is everywhere," alluding to MS Dhoni, who is reverently known as 'Thala' among the Chennai Super Kings fanbase.
Another social media user commented, "This photo is a vibe". The image resonated with scores of cricket lovers, and a vast number of Indian cricket enthusiasts wished Harmanpreet and Co all the best for the all-important one-off Test against England.
