Priya Punia Added to India Test Squad for Historic Lord’s Match

The Indian women’s cricket team has called up batter Priya Punia as a replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal ahead of the landmark Test match against England at Lord's.

LONDON — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Wednesday that top-order batter Priya Punia has been added to the national squad for the one-off Test match against England, beginning Friday, July 10, 2026, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. The inclusion follows a significant injury setback for opening batter Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the historic fixture due to a knee injury sustained during a recent India A tour match in Taunton.

This Test match marks a monumental occasion in cricket history as Lord’s hosts a women’s Test for the first time, 142 years after the venue staged its first men’s Test. The match is highly anticipated, with ticket sales exceeding 30,000 across the four-day event, setting a new record for a women’s Test match in the United Kingdom.

Injury Forces Squad Shake-up

The news of Pratika Rawal's withdrawal comes as a blow to the Indian side. According to head coach Amol Muzumdar, Rawal suffered a laceration on her right knee during India A’s second One-Day match against England A, an injury that necessitated stitches and ruled her out of the Test in London.

Priya Punia, 29, was drafted in as an immediate replacement following an impressive performance in the recent three-match One-Day series against England A, where she finished as India A’s leading run-scorer with 171 runs. While Punia has represented India in limited-overs formats since her international debut in 2019, she is currently awaiting her Test match debut.

Strategic Preparation for Red-Ball Cricket

Under the leadership of captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team has been preparing for the unique challenges of English conditions. Following the conclusion of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the squad shifted focus to the red-ball format, conducting a week of intensive training at the Wormsley Cricket Club before arriving at Lord’s.

Coach Muzumdar acknowledged that while the team’s recent World Cup campaign did not meet expectations, the focus has shifted entirely to the red-ball challenge. “We had to recover from the loss... but the character of the team had to come out, and we need to get out of that phase and come into the Test match preparation sooner,” Muzumdar said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Impact on the Landmark Fixture

For players and fans alike, the match at Lord’s represents a major milestone for women's cricket. The fixture honors the 50th anniversary of the first England women’s team being led out at the "Home of Cricket" by Rachael Heyhoe Flint. Nat Sciver-Brunt will lead the English side, while Harmanpreet Kaur oversees an Indian team eager to test their mettle in a historic setting.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Squad Update: Priya Punia replaces the injured Pratika Rawal in India's Test squad.

• Injury Detail: Rawal was ruled out after suffering a knee injury that required stitches during an India A fixture.

• Historic Venue: This is the first-ever women’s Test match hosted at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

• Fixture Dates: The Test match is scheduled to take place from July 10 to July 13, 2026.

• Punia’s Form: Punia recently scored 171 runs across three matches for India A against England A.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is Priya Punia?

Priya Punia is a 29-year-old right-handed batter from Jaipur, Rajasthan. She has previously represented India in both ODIs and T20Is since her international debut in 2019.

2. Why was Priya Punia added to the squad?

She was called up as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the historic Test match against England after sustaining a knee injury during an India A match.

3. Is this Priya Punia’s first Test match?

Priya Punia has played for India in white-ball cricket but is currently yet to make her Test match debut.

4. When does the Lord's Test match start?

The one-off Test match between England Women and India Women is scheduled to begin on Friday, July 10, 2026, and will run through Monday, July 13.

Source: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), International Cricket Council (ICC), Lord’s Cricket Ground