LONDON, ENGLAND: India Women scripted a memorable victory when they beat hosts England Women by 270 runs in a one-off Test at Lord’s earlier this week. This was the first women’s Test to be played at this hallowed cricket ground – one that is synonymous with the sport itself – and India gave a tremendous account for themselves. The home team were enthralled by the visitors’ grit and perseverance.
India’s batters put up a stellar show, with the artistic Smriti Mandhana scoring 83 in the first innings, and Yastika Bhatia kissing history by scoring a century (113) in the second. In the bowling department, seamer Kranti Gaud picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings while off-spinner Sneh Rana ensured India’s victory with a four-wicket scalp in the second. Bhatia and Gaud’s names are now etched on the legendary honours board at Lord’s, where cricketers dream to be.
With the bat, contributions by the likes of captain Harmanpreet Kaur (58) and Deepti Sharma (57) in the first innings and Mandhana (70) and Richa Ghosh (50 not out) in the second also turned the game in India’s favour. Similarly, with the ball, Sayali Satghare and Rana (two wickets each in the first innings) and Satghare, Gaud and Sharma (two wickets each in the second) cannot be discounted.
India won a women’s Test at Lord’s at their first attempt
This victory will go a long way in cementing women’s sport in India. Harmanpreet and her girls have a lot to be proud about. The men’s team, for example, won their first Test at Lord’s only in 1986, whereas Harmanpreet led her side to victory in their first-ever foray into this historic venue. Women’s cricket has long been subservient to men’s cricket in both India and the rest of the world, but this result should go a long way in reinstilling notions of gender amongst spectators.
Gender, after all, has no role to play in the pursuit of success, and Harmanpreet and her girls showed just that. To achieve such a memorable feat at the home of cricket was no mean task, and perhaps a sign from the gods that good times lie ahead for the Indians. It must be remembered that India arrived into this one-off Test after bowing out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the group stages.
To rebound so strongly from heartbreak speaks of the determination India have. Most importantly, India had scant preparation for this format of the sport, having played none in 2025, and just one earlier this year. Indian cricket supporters need to collectively doff their hats to head coach Amol Muzumdar, the architect of this success.
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