After seven long years: Punam Raut shares team’s excitement over playing Test

Punam Raut

Indian women's team opener Punam Raut is excited to play Test cricket after a long gap of seven years. However, Raut, who scored 130 against South Africa in the 2014 Mysore Test during India's innings and 34 run-win, wants more Test matches for the women's team.

The Indian team are scheduled to play a one-off Test versus England from June 16 at Bristol, followed by three ODIs and as many T20I games.

Experienced team

"I am really excited to play the Test against England because we are playing the longer format of the game after so many years. Way back then [in 2014] we had eight debutants [vs England in 2014], but we have experienced ones now. Red-ball cricket is very close to my heart. It always challenges you with the swinging new or old ball. That's the reason I prefer to practise with red balls even for ODI or T20I series," Punam Raut told mid-day on Sunday.

India women's team opener Punam Raut. Pic/Getty Images

Virat Kohli's Indian team will also be in England to play the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand from June 18 in Southampton and then tackle England in a five-Test series. "I think a Test series should include at least two or three matches. The Indian boys are playing in the WTC, then why not girls? Women's cricket also needs a Test championship. Australia and England play Tests regularly and have a good domestic structure for the longer format. India has huge talent for Test cricket, but the players are suffering because of lack of matches in the longer format.

"BCCI needs to have more day cricket tournaments for women in our domestic calendar," remarked Raut, who claimed she last played a three-day game in 2017.

Raut, 31, scored 146 in the two Tests she played so far, while she has 2,267 runs under her belt in 72 ODIs. In 35 T20I games she has scored 719 with a strike rate of 92.

Challenging tour

The Mithali Raj-led Indian outfit beat England by six wickets in the Wormsley Test of August 2014. However, Raut said: "It will be challenging to play in England. We have to spend a few days in quarantine and then play under the sun. So, getting acclimatised to the conditions quickly will be the key. It will be a tough task as the wickets in England are also bouncy and the weather suits swing bowling. England are a tough team to beat at home. We beat them then but they must be well prepared this time."

Selection for the tour has yet to take place but it is learnt that players will be in quarantine for seven days in Mumbai from May 27.