‘Why Not?’ - Amol Muzumdar backs Women's World Test Championship after India's historic Lord's triumph

India women's head coach Amol Muzumdar has thrown his support behind the introduction of a Women's World Test Championship (WTC) following his team's emphatic 270-run victory over England at Lord's on Monday, July 13.

Speaking after India's memorable triumph, Muzumdar said Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the sport and believes the increasing number of fixtures in the longest format could pave the way for a Women's WTC in the future.

“Obviously, we would be pleased if that happens. I have always maintained that Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game. Our group knows it. Not just the leadership group, but also the players coming through. They also know that Test cricket is something that we really pride ourselves in,” Muzumdar said in the post-match press conference.

India's packed Test calendar this year, which includes matches against Australia, England, and South Africa, has given the coach hope that the women's game is moving in the right direction.

“We will be playing three Test matches this year. We played one in Australia, we played now here at Lord’s, and then we’ve got one in South Africa in December. So I think there are three Test matches in a year. Why not? But I’m not the one to judge it or throw light on it. But I think if that happens, great,” he added.

India's comprehensive win was powered by several standout performances, with debutant Kranti Gaud emerging as one of the biggest stars of the match. The young pacer finished with impressive match figures of 7/91 and was deservedly named the Player of the Match.

Muzumdar was particularly impressed with Gaud's discipline, highlighting her ability to consistently bowl in the right areas throughout the Test.

“I think Kranti, talking about her, the control that she showed was superb. She was just right there in the channel, what we call it. Her control on her line and length was superb. She never erred on the shorter side, probably an odd delivery here and there, but she was more or less on the good-length area, which we have been speaking about for a long time. I think she has just got the rewards of sticking to control, the line and length. Good Test-match bowling, I guess,” he said.

Another key contributor to India's victory was Yastika Bhatia, whose brilliant second-innings century helped India set England a daunting target in the fourth innings. The wicketkeeper-batter's 113 proved decisive as the visitors sealed a commanding win.

Reflecting on her innings, Muzumdar lauded not only the quality of the knock but also the resilience Yastika has shown in overcoming multiple injury setbacks over the past couple of years.

“I think it was a special knock. Needless to say that coming at Lord’s has to be a brilliant one, one which she and all the team members would remember. Not just that, I was really impressed with the way she has come out of the injuries. The last couple of years, she has been tormented with some major injuries, and the way she has defied all those things and stayed true to the game,” he concluded.

After this historic win, the Indian women's team’s next assignment will be a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in October 2026.