Slow left-arm orthodox bowler N Shree Charani and seamer Nandini Sharma have received maiden red-ball call-ups for India’s one-off Test against England. The one-off red-ball contest will be played at Lord’s, fondly known as the Home of Cricket.
It will be a historic occasion for the India women as they will play their first-ever Test match at the iconic English venue. Renuka Singh and Yastika Bhatia mark their return to India’s Test squad. Bhatia has also been named in India’s 15-player squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to be played in England from June 12.
Meanwhile, pace-bowling allrounders Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam have not been picked as they continue to nurse injuries. Amanjot is suffering from a back injury and could be out of action for months. On the other hand, Gautam hurt her right knee during the course of India’s recently concluded T20I series in South Africa.
The Chandigarh allrounder is set to go under the knife soon, informed chief selector Amita Sharma. Gautam made her Test debut against Australia at the WACA in Perth in March.
India’s head-to-head record against England women in Test cricket
India have a favourable head-to-head record against England in Test cricket. India women have won three out of the 15 Tests they have played against England. Meanwhile, England have only beaten India once in the longest format of the game. 11 matches between the two teams have ended in a draw. The one-off Test against England will be played from July 10 to 13, five days after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final at the same venue.
India’s squad for one-off Test against England at Lord’s in July
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Varma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), N Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandani Sharma, Harleen Deol, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana
