Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s as India tightened their grip on the historic one-off Women’s Test against England on Day 3, before Kranti Gaud led a devastating new-ball spell that left the hosts staring at defeat.
Bhatia’s sublime 113 off 158 balls powered India to 341 for seven declared in their second innings, setting England a daunting target of 457. By stumps, the home side had slumped to 130 for six, still requiring another 327 runs with only four wickets in hand.
The left-hander, who resumed the day on 39, mixed elegant stroke play with patience to produce one of the finest innings of her career. She reached her half-century with a trademark straight drive and continued to use her feet confidently against the spinners before bringing up a landmark hundred, etching her name into Lord’s history.
Richa Ghosh then provided the late flourish with an unbeaten 50 off just 52 deliveries, prompting India to declare shortly before tea.
ENG-W vs IND-W, Lord’s Test: Highlights | Scorecard
ENGLAND IN TROUBLE
Needing a record chase, England’s hopes suffered an immediate blow when Gaud struck with the very first ball of the innings. Tammy Beaumont’s farewell international innings ended in disappointing fashion as the pacer produced a delivery that jagged back sharply to disturb her stumps.
Gaud continued to exploit the helpful conditions and struck again when Heather Knight’s final international Test innings ended on 13 after she was caught by Richa Ghosh at short leg.
Sayali Satghare matched Gaud’s intensity from the other end, trapping Maia Bouchier lbw with a delivery that seamed back dramatically. England found themselves reeling at 34 for four as India’s seamers extracted movement throughout the evening session.
Amy Jones offered resistance with an unbeaten 52, while Mady Villiers made 26 during a fighting 67-run sixth-wicket stand that delayed India’s march towards victory.
The partnership was finally broken by another sharp moment in the field as Richa Ghosh completed an excellent catch at silly point to dismiss Villiers.
INDIA IN COMMAND
Earlier in the day, India lost Smriti Mandhana (70), Jemimah Rodrigues (3) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (16), but Bhatia ensured the visitors never surrendered control.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone finished with a deserved five-wicket haul after repeatedly asking questions of the Indian middle order, while Lauren Bell impressed with disciplined seam bowling.
However, the day firmly belonged to India. Bhatia’s history-making century laid the platform before Gaud and Satghare dismantled England’s top order, leaving the visitors overwhelming favourites to secure a famous victory in the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s heading into the final day.
– Ends
