Yastika Bhatia, Kranti Gaud inspire India’s historic Lord’s Test win over England
India scripted history on Monday with a commanding 270-run victory over England on Day 4 of the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s, capping a dominant all-round performance led by Yastika Bhatia’s maiden century and Kranti Gaud’s seven-wicket match haul at the iconic venue.On Sunday, India extended their dominance through Bhatia, whose superb 113 anchored the visitors’ second innings. Displaying excellent footwork against the spinners and elegant strokeplay against the seamers, the left-hander became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s.She received useful support from Smriti Mandhana, who made a fluent 70, before Richa Ghosh added the finishing touches with an unbeaten half-century that prompted India to declare at 341 for seven, leaving England with a daunting target of 457.England’s bowlers found some reward through Sophie Ecclestone, who claimed a five-wicket haul, while Lauren Bell impressed with crucial breakthroughs. However, the target always appeared beyond the hosts on a surface offering increasing assistance to the seamers.India’s pacers wasted little time making inroads. Kranti Gaud, who had taken a five-wicket haul in the first innings, struck with the very first ball of England’s chase, removing Tammy Beaumont, before Sayali Satghare generated sharp movement to leave the home side reeling. Gaud continued to exploit the conditions brilliantly, with Heather Knight among her victims as England’s top order struggled against the movement.Amy Jones mounted a determined resistance with a fighting half-century and found support from Mady Villiers, but India never allowed England to build lasting partnerships. Sharp catching close to the wicket, including an outstanding effort by Richa Ghosh, complemented the disciplined bowling effort as the visitors steadily closed out the match.The victory completed a thoroughly deserved triumph for India, who had seized control by dismissing England for 170 in the first innings after posting 285 themselves. Sneh Rana, completing a four-fer, cleaned up Sophie Ecclestone after her gritty half-century as India sealed a historic victory at Lord’s.Brief Score:India Women 285 & 341/7 decl. (Smriti Mandhana 83 & 70, Yastika Bhatia 12 & 113, Harmanpreet Kaur 58 & 16, Deepti Sharma 57 & 10, Richa Ghosh 13 & 50*; Sophie Ecclestone 3/68 & 5/118, Lauren Bell 1/50 & 2/27)England Women 170 & 186 (Amy Jones 52 & 54, Nat Sciver-Brunt 44 & 11; Kranti Gaud 5/37 & 2/54, Sneh Rana 4/42 & 3/41, Sayali Satghare 2/40 & 2/24, Deepti Sharma 1/10 & 2/36)India Women won by 270 runs.
