Indian women’s team playing a pink-ball Test in Australia without much practice is like a token gesture: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra stated that the Indian women’s national team playing a pink-ball Test against Australia is just a minimal gesture from BCCI. The team would not be fully prepared for the series.

The women’s team would face England in a one-off Test in Bristol on 16^th June. The team is also scheduled to play a pink-ball Test against Australia in September.

Aakash Chopra is doubtful if the women’s team playing the pink ball Test is the right idea. They had played their last test against South Africa back in 2014. The Indian side had won that Test match but had not played any Test matches after that. The team definitely lacks proper preparation and practice. It is thereby like a token gesture for the women’s team to play the pink-ball Test.

The cricketer turned commentator reasoned that the women’s team have no previous experience of playing the pink-ball Test. On top of that, they would be up against a champion team like Australia on Perth wicket. The Perth wickets are pacer friendly and the Australian team would have the home advantage.

Shantha Rangaswamy has also suggested a domestic pink ball tournament to be played. It would help the players prepare for the Australian pink-ball Test. She has suggested it based on the fact that the women’s team in India doesn’t even play domestic red-ball cricket. So they need proper preparation before embarking on to play against Australia.

The Indian women’s team should get to play entire Test cricket: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra did acknowledge the positive steps being taken to support and lift women’s cricket. But he feels that it is not enough. The steps taken are definitely in the right direction but not sufficient at this point. More work and investment have to be done for the Indian women's team. Chopra wants the women’s team to play a full season of IPL. He also wants them to have the chance of playing complete proper Test cricket.

The former Indian cricketer concluded by hoping that the BCCI would give equal focus and attention to the women’s team as the men’s team. There has always been a lot of focus to improve men’s cricket and we have seen success with that. It has taken a lot of effort to make the Indian men’s team the best in the world. In terms of depth, the men’s team has a lot of talent. The BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world but they have held back from investing in women’s cricket. It is an unfortunate fact. A lot more has to be done for the Indian women’s team and women’s cricket.

The women’s team has certainly got a lot more attention after coming under the BCCI. The players have showcased their potential and helped the team reach the finals of ODI and the T20I world cup. Hopefully, the team would get more recognition and success with the support of BCCI.

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