Deepti Sharma's 57 steers India to 350-6 on Day 1 of historic Lord's Women's Test
Synopsis
History was made at Lord's as the first-ever women's Test at the ground saw India post 350-6, with Deepti Sharma's 57 and Smriti Mandhana's unbeaten 83 doing the heavy lifting. England were reduced to 21-1 by stumps — 264 runs adrift — and with the pitch already turning and keeping low, India's spinners could hold the key on Day 2.
Key Takeaways
India posted 350 for 6 on Day 1 of the first-ever women's Test at Lord's on 11 July .
Smriti Mandhana was unbeaten on 83 , while Harmanpreet Kaur scored 58 and Deepti Sharma contributed 57 .
Kranti Gaud dismissed Tammy Beaumont for 11 , leaving England at 21 for 1 at stumps.
England begin Day 2 trailing India by 264 runs .
The pitch is reportedly offering turn and inconsistent bounce, conditions that could favour India's bowlers on Day 2.
Deepti Sharma's fighting 57 and an unbeaten 83 from Smriti Mandhana propelled India to 350 for 6 on the opening day of the historic first-ever women's Test at Lord's on 11 July, placing the visitors firmly in command. India then struck early with the ball, reducing England to 21 for 1 by stumps, with Kranti Gaud removing Tammy Beaumont for 11.
Top Order Builds the Platform
The foundation was laid by India's top three, with Harmanpreet Kaur contributing 58 alongside Mandhana and Deepti. The trio absorbed pressure during a middle-order wobble and rebuilt the innings with composed partnerships. Deepti credited her teammates generously after the day's play. 'It feels good that I was able to do this partnership at a crucial time. All credit goes to our 3-4 batters who gave a good start — Jemi, Harry di and Smriti. They built the innings very well,' she said.
Deepti on the Challenging Pitch Conditions
The Lord's surface proved testing, offering both turn and inconsistent bounce throughout the day — a factor India's all-rounder flagged as crucial heading into Day 2. 'The wicket is slightly turning and sometimes keeping low. The wicket is not the same,' Deepti observed. 'We have to be prepared when the ball can bounce and when it can stay low. Tomorrow will be a very important day for us.'
Mandhana's Character Under Pressure
Mandhana, who remained unbeaten at the close of India's innings, drew particular praise from Deepti for steadying the ship when early wickets fell. 'I think she batted really well. Few players got out early and sometimes you have to take that responsibility. She showed her character today — from there, she started her innings,' Deepti said.
India's Bowling Blueprint for Day 2
With England trailing by 264 runs at the start of Day 2, India's bowlers will look to exploit the same pitch behaviour that troubled batters on Friday. 'We will focus more on our bowling strength. Like today's wicket, we were getting a slight turn. But sometimes the ball was bouncing. It will help us tomorrow. But we have to focus on our right areas. We have to continue to bowl back-to-back,' Deepti said.
A Historic Milestone for Women's Cricket
The match marks the first time a women's Test has been played at Lord's, a landmark that Deepti described as deeply significant for the sport. 'Tests are always special. It is an amazing feeling to play cricket. Women's cricket has grown a lot in the last 4-5 years. People are recognising each other. That is a big thing. As a team, we have achieved a good spirit. We want to continue that for the next generation,' she said. England begin Day 2 needing to bat out of trouble, still 264 runs adrift of India's first-innings total.
Point of View
In the first-ever women's Test here, signals a team that can handle occasion. The real test, however, begins on Day 2: if India's spinners can exploit the turning pitch and bowl with the discipline Deepti described, they have the conditions to bowl England out cheaply and press for a historic win. The match also carries weight beyond the scorecard — women's Tests remain rare, and performances like this build the case for more of them.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Day 1 of the women's Test at Lord's?
India posted 350 for 6 on the opening day of the first-ever women's Test at Lord's on 11 July, with Smriti Mandhana unbeaten on 83, Harmanpreet Kaur scoring 58, and Deepti Sharma contributing 57. England were then reduced to 21 for 1 by stumps, trailing by 264 runs.
Why is this Test match historically significant?
This is the first-ever women's Test match to be played at Lord's Cricket Ground, making it a landmark moment for women's cricket globally. Deepti Sharma noted that women's cricket has grown considerably over the last 4-5 years, and this fixture is a reflection of that progress.
How did Deepti Sharma perform on Day 1?
Deepti Sharma scored a fighting 57 and was instrumental in rescuing India from middle-order trouble through key partnerships. She also spoke about the pitch conditions and India's bowling plans for Day 2.
What are the pitch conditions like at Lord's for this Test?
According to Deepti Sharma, the pitch is offering slight turn and inconsistent bounce, with the ball sometimes keeping low. These conditions are expected to assist India's spinners on Day 2.
Who took England's first wicket on Day 1?
Kranti Gaud dismissed Tammy Beaumont for 11 with England's score at 21 for 1, giving India an early breakthrough before stumps on Day 1.
