Harmanpreet Kaur wants more Test matches for India women ahead of historic Lord's Test against England

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has called for an increase in the number of red-ball matches in women’s cricket ahead of a one-off Test against England at the iconic Lord’s. The next match will be only the seventh Test for the women’s side since 2020. This is a stark contrast with Indian men’s team have played 58 Test matches in same period.

Now, despite an increase in white-ball fixtures, the number of red-ball fixtures remains low. “Long stretches of hosting Test series often leave women cricketers with long stretches of inactivity in the off-season.

highlighted that the domestic cricket scene is too focused on the limited-overs formats, leaving the players ill-prepared for Test matches when they come around. But she said she had faith in the sport’s governing bodies despite the challenges.

“As a cricketer we certainly want to be part of many Test matches. But I think that’s totally up to the higher ups. I have seen all the highs and lows till now and I have seen women’s cricket growing all these years. “I think we are in right hands and they are the right ones to take the call,” Harmanpreet said in the pre-match press conference.

"But if you ask me as a player, I definitely want to play lots of cricket and I don't want to sit at home doing nothing," he said. We're having a lot of fun, we're pretty busy and getting opportunities in between. Last March we played one Test and tomorrow we are going to get one more Test. I think things are going the right way and hopefully, in future, we’ll see many more Test matches coming up,” the veteran added.

Lord's will host the first Test match for the Indian women's team. Harmanpreet admitted that it was once a distant dream for women cricketers to play at the iconic ground.

“This is a very big moment for all of us. “I’m very excited about this opportunity as a captain and as a player. “When we are kids we always dream about playing Test matches and playing at Lord’s is one of those dreams. So glad we got this chance. All the girls are very excited and as a team we are really looking forward to it," said Harmanpreet.