Having enjoyed their share of fame after making it to the final of the World Cup in South Africa early this year, Indian women cricketers are confident of making it an interesting affair when they meet England in the one-off four-day Test beginning in New Delhi on Monday.
While the hosts have not played any international cricket since the World Cup, the visitors are on song after their home victories against Australia in August-September and four wins on the trot in the shorter version of the game -- two ODIs in Sri Lanka early this month and two practice matches in India.
However, the Indian team, led by Mithali Raj, is not worried by the form of their opponents since it has prepared hard for the rubber.
The team underwent rigorous training at the recent 15-day prepatory camp in Gurgaon following a conditioning camp in Mysore in September.
"We are not overawed by their ODI wins as a four-day match is a different ball game. We also beat them in the World Cup," she said referring to India's victory over England en route to the semi-finals in South Africa.
"As far as the warm-up matches are concerned, they were pitted against our under-21 girls. A little nervousness is of course there but that is important otherwise we will get complacent," said Mithali.
The confidence of the team notwithstanding, the Indians have not been tested in the international arena for the last six months, besides having missed out on two of their important domestic tournaments.
One of the tournaments, slated to be played in Surat, was cancelled due to "unforseen" reasons while the other in Bhilai was washed out due to the rains, hampering their practice before an all important series.
The team will also miss the presence of Jaya Sharma, who suffered an injury during a warm-up match at the Teri Oval, and Hemlata Kala, who has apparently announced her retirement.
India have added two new faces in the squad in Asha Rawat and Shravanti Naidu of Hyderabad. Off-spinner Varsha Raffel and opening batswoman Monika Sumra, who last played in the home series against Australia in 2004-05, are making a comeback.
India have not played a Test match for two years now, their last outing was against New Zealand at Wapi where they drew the match.
After the practice at the Jamia Milia grounds, the venue for the match, England captain Charlotte Edwards said it could be a high scoring match and they would have to play at their best against the strong opponents.
Teams (from):
India: Mithali Raj (captain), Neetu David, Nooshin Al Khadir, Amita Sharma, Rumeli Dhar, Jaya Sharma, Monica Sumra, Varsha Raffel, Asha Rawat, and Reema Malhotra (all Railways), Anjum Chopra, Jhulan Goswami, Karuna Jain (all Air-India), Shravanti Naidu (AP).
England: Charlotte Edwards (captain), Arran Brindle, Caroline Atkins, Rosalie Birch, Katherine Brunt, Lydia Greenway, Isa Guha, Jenny Gunn, Laura Harper, Beth Morgan, Laura Newton, Jane Smit, Claire Taylor, Jo Watts.
