Our Bureau
London
Indian pacer Kranti Gaud etched her name into cricket history by becoming the first woman to be inducted onto the iconic Test Honours Board at Lord’s after claiming a sensational five-wicket haul against England in the historic one-off Women’s Test. The 22-year-old’s match figures of 5 for 37 dismantled England’s batting lineup, helping India seize complete control of the contest at the Home of Cricket.
Gaud’s memorable spell bowled England out for 170, handing India a first-innings lead of 115 after the visitors had posted 285 in first innings. The landmark achievement came in only her second Test appearance and during the first-ever women’s Test match to be played at Lord’s, making the feat even more significant.
Resuming their second innings with confidence, India further tightened their grip through opener Smriti Mandhana, who scored 70 and Yastika Bhatia scoring 113, leaving England with a daunting challenge to save the test match.
Gaud’s incisive spell included the prized wickets of England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey and Lauren Bell, showcasing disciplined swing and seam bowling on a surface offering increasing assistance. Her five-wicket haul guarantees her name a permanent place on Lord’s famed honours board, traditionally reserved for batters scoring centuries and bowlers claiming five-wicket innings in Test matches.
With England trailing heavily on a deteriorating pitch, India stands on the brink of creating history in test cricket, while Gaud’s historic achievement marks another defining milestone in the rise of Indian women’s cricket.
