Lord’s Test: Yastika Bhatia, Kranti Gaud leave India on the verge of a famous victory on Day 3
Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s as India cemented their hold on a historic one-off women’s Test against England on Day 3, before Kranti Gaud led a devastating new-ball spell that left the hosts staring at defeat.
Bhatia’s stunning 113 off 158 balls propelled India to 341 for seven declared in their second innings, setting England a daunting target of 457. At stumps, the home side slumped to 130 for six, still requiring another 327 runs with only four wickets in hand.
The left-hander, who resumed on 39, mixed elegant strokeplay with patience to produce one of the best innings of his career. She reached her half-century with a typical direct drive and continued to confidently use her legs against the spinners before making a landmark hundred and etching her name in Lord’s history.
Richa Ghosh then provided the late bloomer with an unbeaten 50 off just 52 deliveries, prompting India to declare shortly before tea.
ENG-W vs IND-W, Lord’s Test: Highlighting | Scorecard
ENGLAND IN TROUBLE
Needing a record chase, England’s hopes suffered an immediate blow when Gaud struck on the very first ball of the innings. Tammy Beaumont’s farewell international innings ended in disappointing fashion as the pacer produced a delivery that backed sharply to disturb her stumps.
Gaud continued to take advantage of the helpful conditions and struck again when Heather Knight’s last international Test innings ended on the 13th over after being caught at short leg by Richa Ghosh.
Sayali Satghare matched Gauda’s intensity from the other end, trapping Maia Bouchier lbw with a delivery that returned dramatically. England found themselves at 34 for four as the Indian seamen expressed movement during the evening session.
Amy Jones offered resistance with an unbeaten 52, while Mady Villiers made 26 during a fighting 67-run sixth-wicket stand that delayed India’s march to victory.
The partnership was eventually broken by another sharp moment in the field when Richa Ghosh completed an excellent catch at silly point to dismiss Villiers.
INDIA IN COMMAND
Earlier in the day, India lost Smriti Mandhan (70), Jemimah Rodrigues (3) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (16), but Bhatia ensured the visitors never relinquished control.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone finished with a deserved five-wicket haul after repeatedly posing questions to India’s middle order, while Lauren Bell impressed with disciplined bowling.
However, this day firmly belonged to India. Bhatia’s historic century laid the platform before Gaud and Satghare dismantled England’s top order to leave the visitors overwhelming favorites to secure a famous victory in the first ever women’s Test at Lord’s heading into the final day.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
13 Jul 2026 01:35 IST