India vs England: Everything you need to know about the historic Lord’s Women’s Test
When India and England go to Lord’s on Friday, they will do much more than just a one-off Test. Both sides will make history by featuring in the first ever women’s Test at the iconic venue, often referred to as the Home of Cricket.
Exactly 50 years after Rachael Heyhoe Flint first led England Women on the Lord’s outfield, the ground will finally host a women’s Test, marking another major milestone in the growth of the women’s game. More than 30,000 tickets have already been sold, underscoring the growing popularity of women’s cricket.
However, the construction was not without obstacles. India suffered a major blow after opening Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the landmark Test with a knee injury kept during India A’s recent tour of England. Head trainer Amol Muzumdar revealed that Rawal needed stitches after sustaining a cut to her knee during the start at Taunton.
The women’s selection committee suggested in Priya Punia as her replacement. The experienced top-order batsman, who impressed with back-to-back half-centuries for India A in England, is in line to make her first Test appearance.
The event has added significance for India, who will be looking to register only their third Test win over England.
They first came in Bristol in 2006 under Mithali Raj, while the last meeting between the two sides ended in a memorable 347-run victory at the DY Patil Stadium in December 2023. Harmanpreet Kaur-led India will be hoping to continue their resurgence in the longest format after also beating Australia in Perth earlier this year.
HISTORIC OCCASION DOUBLES AS BEAUMONT’S FAREWELL
Tammy Beaumont will retire after the Lord’s Test. Courtesy: Reuters
The Lord’s Test will also bring down the curtain on the international career of England opener Tammy Beaumont, who announced leaves after the four-day competition. One of England’s best batsmen, Beaumont has represented his country for 17 years and is a cornerstone of their batting line-up across formats.
Her farewell at Lord’s adds another emotional layer to an already historic event as England hope to give one of their modern day greats a proper boost on the biggest stage.
Beaumont claims an extraordinary heritage. Since making her international debut in 2009, the 35-year-old has played 260 matches for England and is the country’s leading women’s ODI centuries with 12 hundreds, recording 14 international sets across all formats.
She was named Player of the Tournament after finishing as the top scorer in England’s 2017 Women’s World Cup-winning campaign, becoming the first English woman to score a Test double century with a record 208 against Australia in the 2023 Ashes.
She is also one of only two English women to register an international century in all three formats, making her one of the most accomplished batsmen of her generation.
IN-FORM TEAMS WATCH ANOTHER LANDMARK
Priya Punia replaced Pratika Rawal for Lord’s Test. Courtesy: BCCI Women
England enter the competition under Nat Sciver-Brunt with a squad that combines experience and youth. The hosts have named a formidable pace attack led by Lauren Bell, while Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone will take charge of the spin.
Meanwhile, India boast a settled batting unit with captain Harmanpreet Kaur along with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues, with Priya Punia now providing additional batting cover following Rawal’s injury.
The visitors’ bowling will once again revolve around veteran left-arm spinner Deepti Sharma, whose performances in recent Tests have underlined India’s growing confidence in red-ball cricket.
After defeating England and Australia in their previous two Tests, India will believe they have the firepower to challenge the hosts in English conditions.
MR SET FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER
Can Harmanpreet Kaur lead India to victory at Lord’s? Courtesy: Reuters
Few places in world cricket have the aura of Lord’s. While the ground has hosted countless iconic men’s Tests and women’s white-ball internationals, the absence of a women’s Test has remained a glaring omission until now.
Conditions are expected to favor the seamers before they loosen up to bat, so tossing and patience at the crease are key.
Beyond the result, the four-day competition promises to leave a lasting legacy. Whether it’s India’s quest for another famous overseas Test victory, England’s bid to honor Beaumont with a farewell victory or simply the fact that Lord’s will host its first women’s Test, the match represents another giant leap for women’s cricket.
India vs. England Head-to-Head
India and England have played 15 women’s Tests since 1986. India have won three matches while England have won one. The remaining 11 matches ended without a result.
How does the female test differ from the male test
In men’s Tests, matches are played over five days, with 90 overs scheduled each day. The subsequent target is 200 runs. Women’s Tests are played over four days, with 100 overs scheduled each day and a subsequent target of 150 runs. Only two five-day women’s Tests have been played so far.
The first women’s five-day Test was held in 1992 when Lyn Larsen’s Australia beat Helen Plimmer’s England by an innings and 85 runs at the North Sydney Oval.
The second Test took place in 2023 when Alyssa Healy’s Australia beat Heather Knight’s England by 89 runs at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
India vs England Women’s Test Teams
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Priya Punia, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandini Sharma, Harleen Deol, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Raha
England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong
When to watch India vs England Women’s Test?
Women’s Test India Vs. England will start at 15:30 IST and 11:00 local time.
Where to watch India vs England Women’s Test?
Star Sports Network has the broadcast rights for the India vs England Women’s Test. Live streaming of the match will be available on JioHotstar.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
10 Jul 2026 07:00 IST