Watch: India honor Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont as England legends bid farewell

India’s historic win in the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s was followed by moving tributes to departing England greats Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont, bringing the curtain down on two glittering international careers. India beat England by 270 runs at the Home of Cricketbut the celebrations gave way briefly to a heartfelt farewell to two players who helped shape the modern women’s game.

Emotional scenes took place in the dressing room after the match. Smriti Mandhana presented Knight with an India jersey with her own name on the back before sharing a warm hug with the former England captain. Jemimah Rodrigues then hugged Beaumont as the Indian players applauded the opening batsman, who also received a jersey signed by the entire team.

“You know, cricket is all about making memories and we as the Indian team want to leave you with a little memory of your last match for England. Congratulations and best wishes,” said Jemimah.

The tributes began much earlier in the Test, with Indian players forming a guard of honor for both Knight and Beaumont as they walked out to bat in their final appearances for England. The pair received a standing ovation from team-mates, opponents and spectators at Lord’s, capping off an emotional weekend at the iconic venue.

The occasion was made even more special by the presence of Sachin Tendulkar, who met Knight and Beaumont during the match and congratulated them on their remarkable contribution to the sport. The England duo later shared photos with the batting legend, adding another cherished memory of their farewell match.

GLORIOUS KRYTÍR REIGN AND TRIUMPH AT THE 2017 WORLD CUP

Knight retires as one of England’s most influential cricketers after a 16-year international career. She represented England in over 300 matches across formats and captained the team from 2016 to 2025, overseeing one of the most successful periods in the team’s history.

Her finest moment came in 2017 when she led England to Women’s World Cup glory at Lord’s. In a dramatic final, England beat India by nine runs in front of a packed crowd and Knight became only the third England captain to lift the trophy. Sachin Tendulkar with Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight. Courtesy: England Cricket

In addition to her leadership, Knight established herself as one of England’s most reliable batsmen, scoring over 7,000 international runs and playing a key role in England’s rise as a powerhouse in women’s cricket.

BEAUMONT BENDS OFF AFTER 17 YEARS

Beaumont, meanwhile, called time on a distinguished international career that began in 2009. One of England’s best batsmen, the 34-year-old has amassed more than 8,000 international runs and remains England’s leading ODI century maker with 12 hundreds.

A key member of England’s 2017 World Cup-winning team under Knight, Beaumont has become synonymous with consistency at the top of the order. She is also among a select group of English women cricketers to have scored international centuries in all three formats.

The departures of Knight and Beaumont mark the end of an era in England women’s cricket, with both players leaving a legacy that goes far beyond numbers and trophies.

For India, the win at Lord’s will be remembered for its historical significance. But pictures of Mandhana and Jemima embracing with Knight and Beaumont, along with a guard of honor and Tendulkar meeting the pair, served as a reminder that cricket is ultimately about the memories and relationships formed along the way.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

Jul 14, 2026 12:21 PM IST