India News: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Homecoming Test Excitement Despite Limited Preparation Time

As she faces the daunting task of preparing for a home Test match after nearly a decade, Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s captain, is braced for the significant challenge ahead. With only one home Test match in her 14-year international career, she is set to play more home Tests in December against England and Australia in Mumbai than she has participated in her entire international career. Her only home Test took place in 2014 against South Africa, impressively resulting in a 9-wicket innings victory. With just one Test match since then, a 2021 match against England, and a total of three Test matches in her career, the absence of red-ball cricket adds to the complexity of her situation.

Complicating matters further is her schedule. Despite being the only Indian player in the WBBL in Australia, Harmanpreet will have just ten days to prepare for the start of the three-match T20I series against England, leading up to the Test match on December 14. When asked about the Test series, Harmanpreet expressed her eagerness, stating, “The Test series is something which we are really looking forward to because I haven’t played in front of a home crowd since 2014, so I’m really excited for that.”

As she wraps up in Australia, Harmanpreet’s immediate focus is on finishing the WBBL season well with the Renegades, despite their struggles. Following Renegades’ last game at the MCG on Saturday, she will gear up for the test against England and Australia, determined to make the most of her rare opportunities to play in front of a home crowd.