India Women 214/4 in 57.0 Overs | India vs England Lord’s Test Day 3 Live: Sophie trapped Harmanpreet LBW, India’s lead close to 350

INDIA WOMEN VS ENGLAND WOMEN LIVE: India Women resume Day 3 of the historic one-off Test at Lord’s in complete control, maintaining a commanding lead of 269 runs with nine wickets in hand after a dominant display over the opening two days. Having outplayed England with both bat and ball, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side are now within touching distance of scripting a memorable win at the Home of Cricket.

After posting 285 in their first innings, India added just 170 to England to secure a 115-run lead before extending their advantage to 269 runs at stumps on Day 2. Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 69 while Yastika Bhatia provided solid support with an unbeaten 39 second/1 as India reached their 15th over.

India is likely to push for a statement

India’s biggest priority on Day 3 will be to build an elusive lead before the declaration. With Mandhana set well and Yastika looking comfortable at the crease, the visitors have an ideal platform to accelerate in the morning session.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh and the lower middle order are still on the bat, giving India the luxury of increasing their lead well past the 400-run mark. A target in excess of 450 would leave England with little realistic chance of a chase and shift their focus purely to survival.

With the pitch flattening, India are expected to settle for quick scoring and ensure they have enough time to get England out twice before the Test is over.

Mandhana is eyeing another major knock

Smriti Mandhana once again led from the front with a level unbeaten half-century after scoring 83 in the first innings. The left-hander looked completely in control throughout the match and will be eyeing a century on Day 3.

Her partnership with Yastika Bhatia has already frustrated England’s bowlers and another major stand could see the hosts out of the contest altogether.

Kranti Gaud is emerging as India’s new speed sensation

If the Indian batting laid the platform, debutant Kranti Gaud delivered a defining performance with the ball.

The young seamer produced a sensational spell to take 5/37, dismantling England’s batting line-up and ensuring India took complete control of the Test. Her disciplined lines, movement off the surface and ability to strike the new ball made her India’s biggest weapon heading into England’s second innings.

Should India set a massive target, Gaud will once again be tasked with providing early breakthroughs.

England look for inspiration

England face an uphill battle after managing just 170 in their first innings. Apart from Amy Jones’ struggling half-century, the hosts failed to build meaningful partnerships against the ruthless Indian attack.

Their bowlers also struggled to make their mark after dismissing Shafali Verma at the start of India’s second innings. Sophie Ecclestone, who took three wickets in the first innings, will once again bear the responsibility of leading England’s bowling attack and attempting to trigger an unlikely collapse.

The hosts know that allowing India’s lead to go past 400 could effectively end their hopes of avoiding defeat.

While Lord’s has become increasingly bat-friendly, signs of wear and tear are beginning to emerge. As the match moves into the fourth innings, the experienced Indian duo of Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana could become the deciding factors.

With the surface expected to offer more spin and variable bounce later in the game, the Indian bowlers will be backed to take advantage of the conditions and complete a memorable win in the overseas Test.

Day 3 promises a definitive session

The opening session of Day 3 could have determined the course of the match. If India bat positively and claim it with a daunting lead, England will face a huge challenge to survive against a confident Indian bowling attack on a worn Lord’s surface.