Lords with the wings: India women first to clinch Test win at Lord's

Lord's: India scripted one of the greatest victories in the history of women's cricket by crushing England by 270 runs in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's, completing a memorable performance on Monday. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the visitors dominated all four days to register their biggest overseas Test victory and one of the most significant achievements in Indian women's cricket.

Playing a women's Test at the Home of Cricket for the first time, India seized the initiative from the opening day. Smriti Mandhana set the tone with an elegant 83, while Harmanpreet Kaur (58) and Deepti Sharma (57) ensured India posted a competitive 285 in the first innings. England, despite Sophie Ecclestone's five-wicket haul, failed to capitalise on home conditions.

India's bowlers produced a disciplined display.

The turning point came when debutant fast bowler Kranti Gaud ripped through England's batting with a superb spell of 5 for 37, bundling the hosts out for just 170 and handing India a crucial 115-run first-innings lead. Her fiery performance made her the first woman to earn a place on the prestigious Lord's honours board for a five-wicket haul in a Test.

India then tightened their grip through a magnificent century from wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia. Returning from injury, she struck a fluent 113 to become the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's. Supported by valuable contributions from the middle order, India declared their second innings at 341 for seven, setting England an imposing target of 457.

England's chase never gathered momentum. Kranti Gaud struck early once again before off-spinner Sneh Rana dismantled the middle-order with four wickets. Although Ecclestone fought bravely with a half-century, England were bowled out for 186 as India completed a famous 270-run victory, sparking jubilant celebrations at Lord's.

The triumph was particularly significant as it came in the inaugural women's Test at Lord's, a venue that had hosted men's Tests for well over a century but had never staged a women's red-ball international until this match. India outplayed England in every department, showcasing batting depth, disciplined pace bowling and relentless spin, underlining the growing maturity of the side in the longest format.

HEROES AND THEIR HEROICS

India became the first team to win a women's Test at Lord's, as this was the venue's inaugural women's Test.

Kranti Gaud became the first woman to feature on the Lord's Test honours board for a five-wicket haul, claiming 5 for 37 in England's first innings.

Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's, making a superb 113 in India's second innings.

Kranti Gaud was named Player of the Match for match figures of 7 wickets, including her historic first-innings five-for.

Smriti Mandhana (83), Harmanpreet Kaur (58) and Deepti Sharma (57) laid the platform with crucial half-centuries in India's first innings.

Sneh Rana claimed four wickets in the final innings, ensuring England's chase never threatened India's commanding target.

India's 270-run victory ranks among the largest winning margins by runs in women's Test cricket and is the country's most emphatic overseas Test victory in the format.

Tags : Lord's, Cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Kranti Gaud, Yastika Bhatia, Honours Board, Sneh Rana