Our Bureau
London
India Women etched their names into cricket history with a commanding 270-run victory over England in the first-ever women’s Test match played at Lord’s, registering their biggest overseas Test triumph and marking a watershed moment for Indian women’s cricket.
Chasing a daunting target of 457, England were bowled out for 186 on the final day as India’s disciplined bowling attack sealed a memorable win. Off-spinner Sneh Rana led the charge with four wickets in the second innings, while pace bowler Kranti Gaud followed up her first-innings five-wicket haul with crucial breakthroughs to dismantle the hosts.
India had laid the foundation for victory through an all-round team effort. After posting 285 in the first innings, powered by valuable contributions from Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma, the visitors tightened their grip with a dominant second innings declaration at 341 for seven. Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia stole the spotlight by scoring a magnificent 113, becoming the first woman to register a Test century at Lord’s.
The comprehensive victory also saw Kranti Gaud become the first woman to feature on the Lord’s honours board for a five-wicket haul in a Test, underlining India’s dominance with both bat and ball. England, despite Sophie Ecclestone’s fighting performances with both ball and bat, failed to mount a sustained challenge against the visitors’ relentless attack.
The landmark triumph is expected to provide a significant boost to women’s cricket in India, reinforcing the team’s growing stature in the longest format. Winning the inaugural women’s Test at the iconic venue adds another historic chapter to Indian cricket and highlights the side’s evolution into a formidable force on the international stage.
