India T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur said that she was excited to be playing a Test match on the upcoming tour of England and a historic first-ever day-night Test match later in the year and that playing Test cricket was the ultimate challenge.

The last time the Indian women's team played a Test match was in November 2014 against the visiting South African team in Mysore.

In an interaction with ANI ahead of the UK tour, Harmanpreet opened up about her expectations from the upcoming Test matches.

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"I am eagerly waiting to play the Test match and fortunately we are getting to play two against the finest teams that are England and Australia. Test match is the real challenge of skill, stamina, and patience. Conditions on the field are far different from that of a shorter format.

For both batters and the bowlers, it is very important to plan for having enough time on the field, bowl, and bat for longer times, and most importantly show great patience. Test match is the best format for developing overall skills, stamina, and hand-eye coordination," said Harmanpreet.

India women's team will take on England in a one-off Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is. The two teams will first square off in a four-day Test match, beginning June 16.

(ANI inputs)