Lord’s: India Women created history as they clinched a commanding 270-run victory over England in the historic one-off Test at Lord’s. Chasing a daunting target of 457 runs in the fourth innings, the hosts, England, were bowled out for just 186 runs. India’s dominant all-round performance, spearheaded by Kranti Gaud’s magnificent seven-wicket haul and Yastika Bhatia’s brilliant maiden Test century, guided the Indian side to a memorable and historic triumph. With this emphatic victory, India became the first team to win a women’s Test match at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, achieving the historic feat on Monday, July 13, and scripting a remarkable chapter in the history of women’s cricket. It was the first women’s Test match to produce a winner in Lord’s 142-year history, and the Indian women’s team etched their names into the record books by claiming the landmark triumph, becoming the first side to win a women’s Test at the Home of Cricket.
After taking an excellent 115-run first-innings lead, India posted 341 runs in their second innings, setting England a mammoth target of 457 runs to chase. England were already struggling at 59/5 at the end of Day 3, and on Day 4, they were eventually bowled out for 186 runs, handing India a landmark victory.
The match began with England winning the toss and electing to field first. Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 285 runs, led by Smriti Mandhana’s fluent knock of 83 off 108 balls, which provided India with a strong and confident start. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (58) and Deepti Sharma (57) then delivered valuable half-centuries, anchoring the middle and lower order with composed and important contributions. For England, Issy Wong provided the crucial breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Smriti Mandhana, while Sophie Ecclestone claimed three important wickets.
Day 2, however, belonged entirely to the sensational 22-year-old pacer Kranti Gaud, who produced an electrifying and unforgettable spell of 5 wickets for 37 runs, completely dismantling England’s batting order as they were bundled out for just 170 runs. With her remarkable five-wicket haul, Kranti Gaud achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first female cricketer to have her name etched on the prestigious Lord’s Test Honours Board for a five-wicket haul against England. She also became the youngest Indian women’s fast bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in Test cricket, breaking the previous record held by Jhulan Goswami. Sneh Rana also contributed brilliantly with two crucial wickets, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 2.93.
Holding a 115-run first-innings lead, India began their second innings on a positive note. Smriti Mandhana produced a back-to-back half-century, scoring 70 off 130 balls before losing her wicket. After the quick dismissals of Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur, England gained momentum and appeared set to fight their way back into the contest. However, Yastika Bhatia completely shattered England’s momentum with a record-breaking and magnificent maiden Test century. She played an outstanding innings filled with remarkable composure, confidence, and elegance, scoring 113 off 158 balls, including 14 boundaries. With this memorable hundred, she became the first-ever woman to score a Test century at Lord’s, earning a prestigious place on the Lord’s Honours Board. Bhatia’s innings was not only her maiden Test century but also the highest score by an Indian woman in the third or fourth innings of a Test match. Her remarkable century arrived at a crucial stage of the match and powered India towards a massive 400-plus lead, putting them in a commanding position. She was eventually dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone, who also completed her five-wicket haul in the match. After Yastika’s dismissal, Richa Ghosh provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 50 off 52 balls, continuing India’s excellent momentum. India eventually declared their innings at 341/7, leaving England with a daunting target of 457 runs.
In the final innings, Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare produced another outstanding spell, dismissing the openers Tammy Beaumont for a duck and Maia Bouchier for just 2 runs within the opening three overs. Beaumont’s dismissal also marked the end of her international career. England were reduced to 59/5 after the wickets of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (11 off 25) and Alice Capsey (21 off 35). However, Amy Jones and Mady Villiers fought back with a crucial 67-run partnership, keeping England’s hopes alive in the contest. But a sharp catch by Richa Ghosh off the bowling of Sneh Rana brought an end to Villiers’ innings, breaking the important partnership and reducing England to 126/6. Sneh Rana then removed Sophie Ecclestone, who had played a brave and fighting innings of 50 off 66 balls. Finally, Deepti Sharma wrapped up the tail by taking the final two wickets as England were bowled out for 186 runs.
Kranti Gaud deservedly won the Player of the Match award for her sensational match figures of 5/37 and 2/54. With this emphatic victory, the India Women’s cricket team became the first side to win a women’s Test match at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, defeating England by a massive 270 runs. This landmark one-off match was the first-ever women’s red-ball game hosted at the Home of Cricket, and India created history by becoming the first team to achieve this remarkable feat. The victory also added another remarkable milestone to Indian women’s cricket. India have now gone 40 years without losing a women’s Test match in England, further strengthening their incredible record on English soil. The triumph preserved India’s unbeaten record in women’s Tests in England. Across 10 Tests played in England since their first tour in 1986, India have won three and drawn seven, with Monday’s historic victory at Lord’s becoming the latest and most glorious chapter in a remarkable four-decade unbeaten journey.
