Harmanpreet Kaur said that India refrained from playing defensively in their Only Test against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. On Sunday, December 24, India beat Alyssa Healy and Co. by eight wickets and recorded their maiden Test win over Australia in Women’s Tests since 1977.
The captain said that India did not want to play defensive cricket and hence they promoted Richa Ghosh to bat at No.3. Richa made her debut after Shubha Satheesh was ruled out due to an injury that she sustained in the Only Test against England.
“Reward for all the hard work we have done for so many years. Credit to the team and the support staff. Reward for the hard work and patience,” Harmanpreet was quoted as saying.
“We just wanted to play positive cricket, and that is why we wanted to put Richa Ghosh at no.3. We did not want to go back to defensive cricket and everyone knows how Richa plays. We just wanted to stick to the basics and do the right task.
“Our support staff asked me to bowl and I got those two important wickets,” she said.
Apart from succeeding as a skipper, Harmanpreet also did his job as a bowler after she picked up two crucial wickets of Tahlia McGrath and Alyssa Healy.
“Our bowling coach is only telling the bowlers about taking wickets, not being defensive. What best we can do, what’s the best we can bring to the team,” Harmanpreet said.
“I wanted to thank the BCCI for giving us the opportunity. The selectors have also shown their faith in us. The crowd has also been coming in all four days, so thanks to them as well,” she added.
On Day 4, India bowled Australia out for 261 after which they chased down a target of 75 in 18.4 overs.
