India Women within touching distance of Lord’s Test triumph after dominating Day 2

India Women consolidated their strength in the one-off Test against England at Lord’s after a dominant second day, pacer Kranti Gaud’s maiden five-wicket haul and Smriti Mandhan’s unbeaten half-century bringing the visitors within touching distance of a famous victory.

At stumps, India were 154 for 1 in their second innings, extending their lead to 269 runs after bowling England out for 170 in response to their first-innings total. With nine wickets still in hand and two full days remaining, India will enter Day 3 firmly in control.

England vs India Lord’s Test: Update | Scorecard

GAUD LEADS THE CHARGE

The day belonged to Kranti Gaud, whose incisive spell of 5 for 37 dismantled England’s batting line-up and ensured the hosts never recovered despite a spirited middle-order position.

After removing Tammy Beaumont late on the opening day, Gaud wasted little time on Saturday and struck in the second morning when Maia Bouchier fell behind keeper Yastika Bhatia.

Her extraordinary wicket came soon after Alice Capsey was bowled with just enough movement to be pinned by the stumps.

When Sayali Satghare trapped former captain Heather Knight lbw, England slumped to 47 for 4 before skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones leveled the innings.

The pair added 84 runs for the fifth wicket, with Jones producing a fluent half-century and Sciver-Brunt providing solid support as England threatened to erase India’s first-innings advantage.

However, India responded strongly after lunch. Sneh Rana broke the partnership by dismissing Jones for 52 before Gaud came back to wrap up the lower order and complete his first five-wicket haul in red-ball cricket. Satghare and Rana chipped in with two wickets apiece as England lost their last five wickets for just 33 runs.

MANDHANA STANDING TALL

Armed with a first innings lead of 115, India approached the second innings with discipline and authority, again led by Smriti Mandhana.

The left-hander remained unbeaten on 69 off 124 deliveries and followed up his first innings fifty with another steady knock that put England’s bowlers under sustained pressure.

Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India an ideal start, adding 88 runs for the opening wicket. While Shafali was the more aggressive of the two, scoring 33 before pouncing on Sophia Ecclestone’s substitute fielder Emma Lamb, Mandhana anchored the innings with typical elegance.

Her cover drives were a hallmark of the innings, while a lofted six straight back over Ecclestone highlighted her growing confidence.

Yastika Bhatia then joined Mandhan to further frustrate England, with the pair stitching together an unbroken stand of 66 runs for the second wicket to take India safely to the stumps.

With a lead of 269 runs, nine wickets in hand and batting conditions still favourable, India will continue on Day 3 looking at a target well beyond England’s reach and a memorable Test win at the Home of Cricket.

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

Jul 12, 2026 01:38 IST