This Indian team can create a roadmap for Tests too – Niranjana Nagarajan

Just five days after the T20 World Cup final, Lord's Cricket Ground will host the first ever women's Test between England and India at the venue. The two countries share 15 Tests dating back to 1986, with nine in England. India's record in those nine games is spotless – two wins (Taunton 2006, Wormsley 2014) and seven draws.

Among those to experience Test victory in England is Niranjana Nagarajan, the former pace-bowling all-rounder who orchestrated India's famous win at Wormsley. One of eight Test debutants, her first innings 4/19 broke England's back as they were bowled out for 92, before her 27-run vigil (the highest score of the innings) bailed India out to a slender 22-run lead in a rain-affected contest sealed by eight wickets.

In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz, Niranjana reflected on that Test, women's cricket's evolution, and the significance of the Lord's Test.

How fondly do you recall the Wormsley Test of 2014?

If I look back, I'd rate that as my No. 1 match. When I started playing at 12-13, I didn't know I'd play for the country. Wearing the white jersey was the ultimate goal. Test cricket wasn't a big part of our schedule then. Eight of us debutants – when Mithali threw me the ball opening with Jhulan, those scenes are right in front of my eyes. That's my number one memory.

What was the buildup like?

Only three had played a Test before. We were blank. In the Bangalore camp, we were asked to change mindset. We didn't know we had skills for Test cricket. We played multi-day games against boys who grinded it out. A short camp, then off to England. Bowling with the Dukes ball for the first time – the effort was intense. I understood the ball will do the rest if you land it in the right spot.

Had you bowled with the Dukes before?

We had camps with the SG Test ball. But only in the practice game did we realise we'd use Dukes. It had more for bowlers – the grip, the finish of leather and thread, everything so fine. Tailor-made for fast bowling.

That day… when the ball left my hand, I could hear the sound of it leaving my fingers. I was penetrative every delivery. The run-up was smooth. I knew I'd hit the 8-metre mark. There were nerves, but they made me do well.

How was the crowd and media reception at Wormsley?

Quite a turnout. In England, you'll always have an Indian crowd. When I moved to fine leg, there were Indians showing love. When I got Charlotte Edwards, I got a round of applause. Half the ground was filled with Indians. They offered us food. Even at Lord's in 2012, the stands were packed with Indians. Very warm and welcoming.

You had a four-fer and crucial 27. Sixteen wickets fell on day one. What was the emotion back at the hotel?

Batting is love, I do it with passion. The game was rain-interrupted. I got a wicket first over, then rain. You had to be mentally tough. When England were all out for 90-odd, we thought we could relax. But wickets kept falling. I went in around 5.10pm, thinking play ended at 5.30. The umpire said 1 hour 15 minutes left – they'd extended time for rain. We just kept leaving the ball. I started middling it. I remember a straight drive off Kate Cross. After the last ball, Sarah Taylor said, "Mate, you managed to finish play." They kept coming at us, sledging. But because I love batting, I enjoyed it.

I was excited to bat again next day. Calls from selectors, parents, friends. One amazing day.

We were superstitious. In the second innings, I watched through a small window in the pavilion. I said nobody move because wickets weren't falling. Mithali was reading a book. When she went to bat, I said, "Nobody move now." I didn't move from that window till we won. Some superstitions worked for me.

This is Lord's first women's Test. How significant is this?

Whenever India takes the field in whites, it's significant. Playing a Test is the ultimate aim for any cricketer. Women's cricket is recognised globally now – people know Smriti, Harman, Jemimah. We need to play more Test cricket. It motivates domestic players to play multi-day games.

The board is thinking that way – three-day games at zonal level now. India should play more Tests regularly. With the evolution of women's cricket and India winning the World Cup, everything is falling in place. This is the right time. If this team can put a roadmap for the ODI World Cup, they can do it for Test cricket too.

How does a young girl harbour ambition to play Tests with so few matches?

How do men understand Test value? Through Ranji Trophy, multi-day games. That's how importance should be instilled. Yes, it's a T20 generation. But you get better by doing. If there's a separate Test squad, if girls are groomed that way… not every girl can be a T20 cricketer. Players who are Test material will understand its value only with more opportunities.

If you ask an under-19 player now, he'll say he wants to play Test cricket for India, not IPL. Because men's cricket history is such – Ranji Trophy is the base. More multi-day domestic games will make girls understand Test cricket is the ultimate form.

Is there a financial or marketing gap?

There was a time when WPL didn't exist. Now it's one of the biggest global leagues. From 2024, multi-day tournaments are happening domestically. Men and women are paid equally in match fees now. Domestic fee structures have increased. The board just needs to increase multi-day games.

Everyone likes boundaries and sixes now. Nobody wants girls to defend. But the day is not far when Tests will be a priority. Just like WPL, the board will bring Test cricket into the spotlight. It's around the corner.

A Test at Lord's – how big is this?

I miss being part of the team now! Taking the field at Lord's is like standing in paradise. Everything about Lord's is history – ancient, antique, unique, classic. It's a golden opportunity for the girls. The magnitude is high because England just finished the T20 World Cup. It's about switching from demolishing mode to soft mode – which is also tougher.

England will be favourites, but India has capacity to do well. Batting is really good, bowling is good, management is doing well. The result will be important for India's Test future.

Looking from Wormsley 2014 to today, how happy are you with progress?

Extremely happy. For a long time nobody knew women cricketers. WPL gave them a global map. Crowds recognise them, sponsors come in. Seeing Smriti or Deepti – they played with me. Smriti has created an aura; she's the icon now. I played until 2024, so I know both eras. On a scale of 0 to 10, when I played it was six. Now it's 8.5 or 9. No looking back.

Girls now enter academies saying, "I want to be like Smriti, play like Jemimah." They come to me saying, "Teach me fast bowling." That makes me so happy. Women's cricket in India has reached the pinnacle – but it has to go higher. When India won the World Cup, I was in tears. It felt personal. That victory shifted everyone's attention to women's cricket. I'm very proud of the girls.