India win maiden women’s Test at Lord’s, beat England by 270 runs
Yastika Bhatia’s historic century and Kranti Gaud’s five-wicket haul power India to a landmark victory in the first women’s Test ever played at the iconic venue
NewsArc Bureau | London
India’s women’s cricket team scripted history at Lord’s, defeating England by a massive 270 runs in the first-ever women’s Test match played at the ground in its 142-year history. Under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur, India dominated all three departments — batting, bowling and fielding — to hand England a comprehensive defeat.
A HISTORIC WIN
This is the second-biggest Test victory by margin in Indian women’s cricket history, behind only their 347-run win over England in 2023. India remain unbeaten in women’s Test cricket on English soil, having won 3 and drawn 8 of their 11 Tests in the country.
MATCH SUMMARY
India posted 285 runs in the first innings, before bowling England out for 170 to take a lead of 115 runs. Declaring their second innings at 341, India set England a target of 457 runs. England were bowled out for 186, handing India the win by 270 runs.
BATTING AND BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS
Yastika Bhatia became the first women’s Test cricketer to score a century at Lord’s, striking a superb 113 in the second innings, including partnerships of 73 with Smriti Mandhana and 52 with Deepti Sharma. Vice-captain Mandhana contributed fifties in both innings, scoring 83 and 70 respectively. Richa Ghosh remained unbeaten on 50 and Sayali Satghare added an unbeaten 18 as India declared at 341/7.
With the ball, Kranti Gaud became the first woman cricketer to take a five-wicket haul at Lord’s, finishing with figures of 5 wickets in England’s first innings and was named Player of the Match. Sneh Rana picked up 4 wickets in England’s second innings, while Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma took 2 wickets apiece as England collapsed for 186 on the fourth day.
FAREWELL MATCHES AND SPECIAL MOMENTS
The match also marked the international farewell of England’s Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight, who were given a guard of honour by the Indian team. Legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar was present at the ground on the fourth day to cheer on the Indian team, interacting with the players before play began.
