Just five days after the T20 World Cup final, Lord's Cricket Ground will bear witness to a historic first when England and India contest the first ever women's Test at the venue. The two countries share a history of 15 matches in the format dating back to 1986, with nine of those played on English shores. India boast a spotless record in those nine games having not lost once, while winning two in Taunton (2006) and Wormsley (2014).

Among those to experience the euphoria of winning a Test in England is Niranjana Nagarajan, the former pace-bowling all-rounder who orchestrated India's famous victory at Wormsley. One of eight Test debutants in the Indian XI, her first innings spell of 4/19 broke the back of the England lineup as they were bowled out for 92, before her 27-run vigil (the highest score of the innings) bailed India out of strife towards a slender, but crucial 22-run lead in a rain-affected contest that the visitors sealed by eight wickets.

Memories of Wormsley 2014

In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz ahead of the Lord's Test, Niranjana took a trip down memory lane, throwing light on her experience of playing a Test in England.

"If I look back at my international career, I probably would rate that as the No. 1 match which is close to my heart. Because when I started playing cricket at around 12-13 years of age, I really did not know that I would end up playing for the country. Gradually when I started understanding the game more and took cricket professionally, then playing for the country and wearing the white jersey was the ultimate goal," she said.

When asked about the buildup towards that game considering it was a one-off Test, Niranjana revealed: "Actually only three of them - Mithali, Jhulan and Karuna Jain - had played a Test before that. So we were all blank. We didn't have an idea of how to approach a Test game. In the camp, we were just asked to change the mindset. We didn't even know that we had skills to play Test cricket. We were actually put into a real Test at that time."

The camp was set up in Bengaluru where they played multi-day games against boys to prepare for English conditions. "We played a few multi-day games and we were given long sessions. The batters were leaving a lot of balls. The temperaments, the mindset (were tested) and the bowlers were given long spells. We played against the boys who grinded it out throughout the day," she recalled.

Experience with the Dukes Ball

Speaking about bowling with the Dukes ball for the first time, Niranjana said: "We had camps with the SG Test ball which is similar to the Dukes ball. But when we went there and we played the practice game, that was the time we came to know that we are going to actually play with the Dukes ball. It had a lot more for the bowlers. The grip was so good. The finish of the leather, the finish of the thread, everything was so fine. It was tailor-made for fast bowling."

Describing her memorable spell, she added: "That spell...that kind of day I had, was not a day that every fast bowler will have. When the ball left my hand, on a few occasions, I was able to hear that sound of the ball leaving the fingers. It was one of those days where I knew that I was there, being penetrative every single delivery."

Significance of Lord's Test

Reflecting on the historic nature of the first women's Test at Lord's, Niranjana said: "I would never say that it's going to be just another match. Whenever the Indian women's team is taking the field with whites, I think it's quite significant. Playing a Test match is always going to be the ultimate aim for any cricketer."

She emphasized: "If this team can put a roadmap for the ODI World Cup, I think this team can also put a roadmap for Indian Test cricket to go higher up in the ladder for sure."

On the evolution of women's cricket, Niranjana expressed her happiness: "I am extremely happy about how women's cricket has evolved, especially with how the girls are placed. For a long time nobody knew women cricketers. I think the emergence of WPL has given the map for them at the global level and also the domestic level."

She continued: "The change is for the good - when I was playing, on a scale of 0 to 10, it was around six. Now it is around 8.5 or 9. From here there is no looking back."

Future of Women's Test Cricket

Regarding the paucity of Test cricket in women's game, Niranjana stressed the importance of domestic multi-day games: "If you take an under-19 player now, he will definitely say, 'I want to play Test cricket for India'. He will not say he wants to play in the IPL. Why? Because the history of men's cricket has been such. Ranji Trophy is the base for them, right? So the more multi-day games we give in domestic cricket, the girls will definitely understand the fact that Test cricket is the ultimate form of cricket."

She expressed confidence in the BCCI's efforts: "There was a time when there was no WPL. Now it is one of the biggest global sporting leagues in the world. From 2024, the multi-day tournament is happening at the domestic level so definitely, the board will do it."

On the significance of playing at Lord's, Niranjana said: "I think one of the best things that can happen to a cricketer is to take the field at Lord's. It feels like you are standing right inside a paradise, in heaven. Everything about Lord's is history - it's ancient, it's antique, it's unique. It's classic. It is a golden opportunity for the girls to go and establish their skills at that platform."

Looking ahead to the match, she concluded: "I think England will be favourites but India has all the capacity and ability to do well because their batting is really good. We have specialised batters. The bowling department is also good and the management is doing well."