Amol Muzumdar Acknowledges Challenges in Transitioning to Women’s Test Cricket
Amol Muzumdar, the India women’s team head coach, acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from the recent white-ball format successes to the upcoming one-off Test against South Africa. With the team fresh off T20I and ODI series sweeps, Muzumdar believes there is still room for improvement across all departments – batting, bowling, fielding, and fitness.
“We do have the momentum – we won in Bangladesh, we won against South Africa,” Muzumdar said, two days before the Test in Chennai. “They are different formats, but at the same time, we are trying to focus on every game as it comes. The demands [of playing a Test] are different. I think the team is up for it and I think as far as improvement is concerned, I think all three departments – batting, bowling, and fielding, and fitness – four departments [can improve].”
Despite the short turnaround of only five days between the ODIs and the Test, Muzumdar feels the players are aware of the challenge of switching formats, as red-ball cricket is part of their long-term plans. The India women’s team recently played back-to-back Tests against England and Australia in December, and the inter-zonal tournaments in March-April were crucial in preparing the players for the longer format.
“We are aware that red-ball cricket will be a part of women’s cricket going forward and hence I feel that the inter-zonal, which happened in March-April, was very critical. So that the players also get the message that it’s not just white-ball cricket or just T20s that we are focusing on. We are also focusing on the red-ball stuff and I think they are aware and they are ready and raring to go in the multi-day format. To adjust to that is a different story.”
While the core of the team remains the same, Muzumdar highlighted the importance of players like Shubha Satheesh, Sneh Rana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Meghna Singh, who were part of the recent NCA camp and have been specifically prepared for the Test match.
Muzumdar also expressed his support for the idea of a women’s Test Championship, which could add more context to the format, though he acknowledged that only four teams – Australia, England, India, and South Africa – currently play Test cricket.
Additionally, the head coach praised the inclusion of the 17-year-old medium pacer, Shabnam Shakil, in the squad across all three formats, recognizing her talent and the opportunity for her to experience the team’s culture and atmosphere.
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