“I wanted to get my name on the honor board”: Kranti Gaud after scripting Lord’s history

Kranti Gaud (Getty Images) India fast bowler Kranti Gaud said earning a place on the iconic Lord’s honors board has been her personal goal since the very start of the one-off women’s Test after her match-winning performance led India to a historic 270-run victory over England.Gaud was a superb performer with the ball, claiming 5/37 in England’s first innings to hand India a decisive 115-run lead. She followed it up with figures of 2/54 in the second innings as England were bowled out for 186 chasing a formidable target of 457. Her seven-wicket haul earned her the Player of the Match award.Reflecting on the achievement, Gaud admitted that the milestone seemed unimaginable when he was growing up, but once the test began, it became a clear goal.“Growing up, I never imagined something like this would happen. But from the day this Test match started, I told myself that I want to get my name on the honors board,” she said during the post-match presentation.The young pacer attributed her success to sticking to the basics and trusting the plans laid out by the coaching staff.“My approach is very simple. I just focus on my line and length. Whatever the coaches tell me, I try to follow it by hitting the same line and length consistently. That’s what I thought about every ball.”Her five-wicket haul saw her become one of the few cricketers to have her name inscribed on the famous Lord’s Honors board, a moment she said belonged as much to her family and mentors as it did to her.“I feel extremely proud, as does my family. I want to thank everyone – my coaches, seniors and everyone who has supported me on this journey.”Gaud also revealed that the Player of the Match award and match stump will have pride of place in a special collection she has built up at home.“I have created a small and special museum at home and this award will go there. I will leave the stump there forever on Wednesday.”India completed a famous victory on the fourth morning as Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma cleaned up England’s lower order after the hosts resumed at 130/6. The comprehensive victory not only marked India Women’s first Test win at Lord’s, but also extended the team’s unbeaten streak in Test cricket on English soil.