India adapt and excel again despite scant Test opportunities

Since the start of 2021, women's cricket has had only 13 Test matches involving four teams — one more than a men's team plays in a single World Test Championship cycle. Test cricket remains an occasional feature in the women's game.

Time is the defining currency of Test cricket. But teams have very little of it to prepare for a one-off game, which has been the norm for 20 years. The last Test series of two or more games was in 2006.

England and India were the teams back then — as they were when a 142-year drought ended at Lord's, which hosted its first women's Test. India delivered a performance that defied their sparse Test experience, winning by 270 runs.

"Yeah you can say that," head coach Amol Muzumdar said of the Lord's Test being the perfect game for India. India adapted better than the hosts, outbatting and outbowling them. India were also sharp in the field.

India had more preparation time than England, who had a four-day turnaround between the T20 World Cup final and the Test. England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt admitted her team would have liked more days to prepare.

Muzumdar attributed India's dominant display to discipline. "I think we were disciplined in our approach towards our batting and disciplined in our bowling as well. Sticking to the basics of cricket. While bowling…controlled line and length. Aggression mixed with patience. That was a key factor."

After their T20 World Cup group stage exit, India went to Wormsley for red-ball preparation before arriving at Lord's.

"We go a little ahead of the series," Muzumdar said. "If you're in England, we go slightly ahead of the schedule. We try and acclimatise to the conditions — ground conditions and overhead conditions. When we go abroad, that's the key for this team. We've said we'd like more time for Test match preparations. Luckily, we got enough time."

India's ability to adapt seamlessly to Test cricket despite the format's infrequency stands out. They secured draws in Bristol and Carrara in 2021 — both one-off games.

India have no Test in 2025 but a third on the horizon in 2026 when they tour South Africa. They also played Australia in March.

Given the sporadic nature of the format, a women's World Test Championship seems outlandish. But Muzumdar, a veteran of 171 first-class matches, was open to the idea.

"I would be pleased, if that happens. I've always maintained that Test cricket is the ultimate format. Our group knows it — not just the leadership group, but also the players coming through. They know Test cricket is something we pride ourselves in. Why not? If that happens, great."

Factors shaping such a possibility include financial variables and the number of teams. Marquee venues like the MCG and now Lord's opening its doors for women's Tests is promising. The Lord's Test saw a record attendance of 37,846 across four days.

Whether this prompts more than solitary Tests between heavyweight sides remains to be seen. Regardless, it isn't far-fetched to expect India to find their bearings quickly when they next play a Test — little time to prepare or not.