India vs England: Heather Knight looks forward to 'bucket list' series including a Test match

Spinner Sophie Ecclestone is fully fit for the India series after dislocating her shoulder in August

Heather Knight is excited by the opportunity to play a Test match in India, which she says is a "bucket list thing for any cricketer".

The England captain, 32, is her side's most experienced Test cricketer with 11 caps.

But none of England's squad, who play three T20s starting Wednesday before the Test on 14 December, have played a multi-day game in India before.

"We're not shying away from the challenge," said Knight.

"We've got a very quick turnaround between T20s and the Test match but that's just the way international cricket is.

"But I'm very excited, it's one of those bucket list things for any cricketer."

The three T20s are being played at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, and the Test played at the DY Patil Stadium in the same city.

England's most recent Test came during the summer's Ashes, a five-day encounter at Trent Bridge which was won by Australia, but the India match will be played over four days - which is more common in women's Tests.

But despite less time being something they have considered, Knight insists it will not change her side's positive approach.

"We're more used to playing four days, but the five days was a real success by allowing the game to play out, rather than both teams feeling like they had to accelerate or force things to get a result," said Knight.

"So we've got to find a way to win it, everything we do will be about setting the game up to win."

• England in India 2023

• England squads for India series

England set to face trial by spin

Knight and England had a mixed summer: the Ashes saw record-breaking crowds and a surprise drawn series, including white-ball series wins, but was followed by a disappointing T20 series defeat by Sri Lanka before winning the one-day international leg against the same opponents.

England's batting struggles against spin were glaring in the Sri Lanka defeat, while off-spinner Ash Gardner's 23 wickets in the Ashes were somewhat overshadowed by England's success - so they can expect a similarly tough test from slower bowling if India have done their homework correctly.

Spinners Shreyanka Patil and Saika Ishaque have been called up to India's T20 squad for the first time alongside experienced campaigner Deepti Sharma.

It is a particularly important challenge for England, and one they must address quickly as they look ahead to next year's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and the 50-over World Cup in India the following year.

But England are also boosted by the return of their own spin star in Sophie Ecclestone, who is fully fit after dislocating her shoulder during The Hundred in August, which resulted in surgery.

World number one bowler Ecclestone is one of several England players who gained experience in the first edition of the Women's Premier League, India's T20 franchise tournament, something Knight says is going to prove "invaluable".

"India are a brilliant team and in their own conditions, we know it's going to be tough," she said.

"I'm excited to see the sort of crowds we get in as well, we saw great support in Mumbai during the WPL.

"Trying to silence those crowds will be tough, we've seen recently in the men's World Cup just how much passion the India fans have, and some of our players won't be used to that.

"But playing in India really tests your skill and your character in how to deal with the noise, the heat, the conditions. It's set to be a brilliant series between two of the best teams in the world."

Challenging winter ahead for India's new era

For India, only captain Harmanpreet Kaur and star batter Smriti Mandhana have previously played in a home Test - and it is Kaur's first as leader.

It is also the first time in 20 years they are playing a Test match without legendary players Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, with plenty of young talent expected to break through.

Patil and Ishaque's call-ups come after impressive WPL campaigns, showing the value of that tournament even after its inaugural edition.

Opening batter Shafali Verma and explosive wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh are only 19 and 20 years old respectively but have considerable international experience already, and add the firepower to contrast with the class and style of Kaur and Mandhana.

Seamer Renuka Singh's recovery from a back stress fracture is a boost for their inexperienced pace bowling attack.

The Test against England is their first of the winter, as they play world-dominating Australia later in December.