Great opportunity to get used to home conditions: Harmanpreet

India completed a clean sweep over South Africa in the three-match Women's One-Day International (WODI) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The action now shifts to Chennai for the one-off Test between the two sides, starting June 28 (Friday), followed by the T20 Internationals (T20I). 

With India set to host the Women's ODI World Cup next year, skipper Harmnapreet Kaur believes that this is a great opportunity for her side to get accustomed to the conditions at home. 

“It’s a great opportunity to get used to various home conditions,” Harmanpreet said ahead of the one-off Test against South Africa in Chennai.

“Even though we don’t have a lot of experience at home, this series will give us a lot of confidence — how the wickets behave and the combinations that we can use for the World Cup.”

Harmanpreet hopes that the pitch would start turning early. “It’s been raining for the last couple of days, but the wicket looks really good, and we are hoping it will start turning within one or two days,” Harmanpreet said.

“In the last two Tests in Mumbai, the wicket was behaving similarly. We don’t have much clarity about the wicket here. We discuss to go out there and see how the pitch is behaving.”

“We don’t have much experience on Chennai wicket. But the practice session from the last couple of days has given us a fair idea and we will play accordingly,” Harmanpreet, who has played five Tests, added.

“We have seen men’s Test matches here, but women’s cricket is completely different. Once we start playing as per the conditions, we will be gathering experience.”

If it spins early, Harmanpreet says she will not hesitate in rolling her arms, which will further add to the depth in India's spin department.

“If I get the opportunity [to bowl], definitely [I will bowl]. Not only me, but Smriti is also bowling now, and if need be, we can use her as well.”

Harmanpreet also hailed the BCCI's initiative to bring back the Senior Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy for the first time in four years. The tournament was held in March this year in Pune, and the East Zone won.

Our domestic cricket was featured very nicely last year. A lot of girls across age categories played those games, and the BCCI is doing a great job. “They are trying their best to improve women’s cricket, and we really hope they keep up with it," she said.

“It’s a great opportunity for all of us. As a player, we always want to play red-ball cricket. And now that we are getting it, we are happy.

“The last two Tests we played [vs England and Australia] were really great. We are looking for a positive result in this Test as well. Hopefully, we will deliver,” she concluded.

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