The Harmanpreet-Muzumdar Era off to a Promising Start

As the triumphant Harmanpreet Kaur carried the silverware to her team, gathered around the 'Winners' placard in front of the Australian dugout on Sunday, Alyssa Healy borrowed a camera to capture a few photographs. She was still in her whites, with her wicketkeeping pads on.

Less than 24 hours ago, the two captains stood on opposite ends of the dusty 22-yard strip at the Wankhede Stadium, engaged in a heated dispute, with one accusing the other of obstruction and the second claiming self-defense. After Harmanpreet bowled Healy out, she even gave her counterpart a fierce stare as she departed.

Among the many captivating moments in this one-off Test, these two instances perfectly encapsulate the intense rivalry between India and Australia.

In recent times, the two teams have clashed frequently in white-ball cricket since India established themselves as formidable challengers to Australia's dominance in 2017. However, red-ball cricket in the subcontinent remained unexplored territory for both sides. Their last Test encounter was in the final quarter of 2021 in a historic pink-ball fixture.

Since then, circumstances had changed significantly. Australia underwent a transition under new leadership, and India had a new brain-trust to acquaint themselves with. In many ways, both teams started the series with a clean slate.

Common wisdom and historical evidence suggested that India's success would be measured by their performance against this Australian challenge, despite their recent record-breaking victory in the women's Test. And India did not disappoint, securing a famous maiden win in grand style.

At every gripping moment and amidst Australia's counterattacks, India had different heroes stepping up to turn the game in their favor. Pooja Vastrakar's early breakthroughs were countered by Tahlia McGrath's aggressive play, while the spin attack led by Sneh Rana suffocated Australia's middle-order. Smriti Mandhana's attacking start further improved India's advantage, and the following morning, two young talents extended the lead.

When Ash Gardener inspired a collapse, Deepti Sharma and Vastrakar rescued India and secured a significant lead. Throughout the match, India never seemed under pressure. Even when Australia tried to play defensively and chip away at India's 187-run lead, Harmanpreet took charge and turned the game with her two late wickets. The final day's formalities were completed in just over one session, underscoring India's dominance.

Despite playing limited Test cricket in recent years, India can be pleased with their current position. It is not easy to excel in a format as challenging as Test cricket when there is uncertainty regarding future fixtures. Since their return to red-ball cricket, India have drawn a final-day Test in England, lost a potential victory to bad weather under lights, and now triumphed in two comprehensive victories against two of the traditional Test-playing nations. No other team has achieved as much, not even Australia.

Whether it was the victory against England on a turning pitch or the win at the Wankhede, which did not misbehave as much as anticipated, these victories have provided valuable insights after being pushed to the limits over the past two weeks. These insights include the challenges of being under-prepared, the demands of consecutive Tests, and the realization of extraordinary workloads.

In isolation, these Test wins may seem insignificant and destined to fade into history. There is no Test Championship or prestigious title at stake. With only four active participants in women's Test cricket at the moment, opportunities are scarce. However, these lessons can have an impact on India's white-ball cricket as well.

Vastrakar's durability has been a revelation, reaffirming her credentials as an allrounder and securing her place as a finisher, a role she is naturally suited for. The three debutant batters - Jemimah Rodrigues, Shubha Satheesh, and Richa Ghosh - have shown potential and can contribute significantly to the shorter formats, especially with greater clarity in their roles under the new management. Supported by their captain and vice-captain, India's batting depth is enviable.

The genuine allrounders have proven their value. Sneh Rana's ability to provide crucial breakthroughs has put her in contention for selection, while Deepti Sharma has emphatically silenced any doubts about her place in the team. Additionally, Renuka Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar's contributions have provided encouragement for India's seam bowling department, which has been undergoing a transition for some time. It is now evident that India's bowling attack is not solely reliant on spin.

Above all, this historic victory has facilitated the bond between Amol Muzumdar and the team. With World Cups in both limited-overs formats on the horizon, this win has come at an opportune time. Harmanpreet has spoken highly of Muzumdar's strategic acumen, highlighting his experience and unconventional decisions throughout the series.

After the customary handshakes at the end of the match, Harmanpreet led her team to the periphery of the Garware Pavilion, where spectators had gathered over the weekend. To show their appreciation, the ardent women's cricket supporters known as the 'Bucket Hat Cult,' who were present across all three tiers, chanted personalized cheers for each team member. Harmanpreet then requested a chant for Muzumdar, and the group gladly obliged. The entire team joined in, emphasizing the unity within the squad.