Kranti Gaud 3-25, Rana strikes at lunch as England reach 137/5 vs India at Lord's
Synopsis
Kranti Gaud's seam mastery dismantled England's top order before Sciver-Brunt and Jones fought back with an 84-run stand — only for Sneh Rana to break it on the stroke of lunch. England are 137/5 and still 148 behind, with India firmly in control at Lord's.
Key Takeaways
Kranti Gaud took 3 wickets for 25 runs , including the prized scalp of debutant Alice Capsey , to set up India's dominant session.
Sayali Satghare trapped Heather Knight lbw to reduce England to 38/3 inside the first hour.
Amy Jones scored a rapid 52 off 62 balls — one of England Women's quickest Test fifties — before falling to Sneh Rana just before lunch.
Nat Sciver-Brunt and Jones added 84 runs for the fifth wicket to partially arrest the collapse.
England are 137/5 in 40 overs , still trailing India's 285 by 148 runs at lunch on Day 2 at Lord's .
Nat Sciver-Brunt is unbeaten on 39 ; debutant Mady Villiers is at the crease alongside her.
Kranti Gaud claimed 3 wickets for 25 runs and Sneh Rana struck on the stroke of lunch as India reduced England to 137/5 in 40 overs at the close of the morning session on Day 2 of the one-off Women's Test at Lord's on 12 July 2025. England still trail India's first-innings total of 285 by 148 runs, with Nat Sciver-Brunt unbeaten on 39 heading into the afternoon.
India's Sensational Opening Burst
India arrived at the crease on the second morning needing to press home their advantage, and Gaud and Sayali Satghare delivered precisely that. Gaud, operating from the Nursery End with excellent seam control, drew an outside edge from overnight batter Maia Bouchier — caught behind by Richa Ghosh for 23 — to end a cautious 30-run second-wicket stand and give India the early breakthrough they needed.
Satghare followed up in the very next over, producing a delivery that jagged back sharply from a good length to trap Heather Knight plumb in front for a duck. Knight reviewed immediately, but ball-tracking confirmed the ball was clipping leg stump, leaving England at 38/3.
Gaud's Pick of the Morning
Debutant Alice Capsey briefly offered some resistance before Gaud produced the standout delivery of the session. Having consistently shaped the ball into the right-hander, Gaud surprised Capsey with one that held its line before moving away just enough to beat the outside edge and crash into the off stump. The superb piece of seam bowling left England reeling at 47/4 inside the opening 18 overs.
Sciver-Brunt and Jones Engineer a Recovery
With England four down and still facing a substantial deficit, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones combined for a vital 84-run fifth-wicket partnership to stabilise the innings. Jones counterattacked with confidence, driving through the off side and pulling anything short, while Sciver-Brunt settled before unleashing her trademark sweep shots against the spinners.
Jones reached a well-compiled half-century off just 59 deliveries — among England Women's quickest Test fifties — to warm applause from the Lord's crowd. Sciver-Brunt also shifted gears, launching Test debutant N Sree Charani over deep midwicket for the innings' first six. India introduced spin through Rana, Deepti Sharma, and Charani, who challenged both batters with attacking fields and close-in catchers throughout the session.
Rana Strikes Before Lunch
India ensured they finished the session firmly on top. Just four deliveries before the lunch interval, Rana extracted turn and bounce from a teasing length. Jones, rooted to the crease while attempting a defensive stroke, inside-edged onto her pad, with the ball looping to Ghosh at short leg who completed a straightforward catch. Jones departed for 52 off 62 balls, ending an enterprising knock that had briefly threatened to swing momentum England's way.
Debutant Mady Villiers survived the closing overs to accompany Sciver-Brunt safely to lunch. England will rely heavily on their captain and lower order to narrow India's first-innings lead in the afternoon session.
Scorecard Snapshot
India 285 all out in 74.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet Kaur 58, Deepti Sharma 57; Sophie Ecclestone 3-68, Issy Wong 2-41) lead England 137/5 in 40 overs (Amy Jones 52, Nat Sciver-Brunt 39 not out; Kranti Gaud 3-25, Sneh Rana 1-35) by 148 runs.
Point of View
Not a shift in control. India's decision to introduce three spinners early, including debutant Charani, signals they are hunting wickets rather than merely containing. The afternoon session will test whether Sciver-Brunt can convert her 39 into something match-defining, or whether India's bowling depth proves too much for England's tail.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current match situation in the India vs England Women's Test at Lord's?
England are 137/5 in 40 overs at lunch on Day 2, trailing India's first-innings total of 285 by 148 runs. Nat Sciver-Brunt is unbeaten on 39 with debutant Mady Villiers at the other end.
How did Kranti Gaud perform on Day 2 morning at Lord's?
Kranti Gaud took 3 wickets for 25 runs in the morning session, dismissing Maia Bouchier and Alice Capsey with outstanding seam deliveries. She was India's standout bowler of the session.
How did Amy Jones get out in the Women's Test at Lord's?
Amy Jones was dismissed for 52 off 62 balls just four deliveries before lunch, inside-edging a delivery from Sneh Rana onto her pad, with the ball looping to Richa Ghosh at short leg.
What was India's first-innings total in the one-off Women's Test?
India were bowled out for 285 in 74.5 overs. Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 83, while Harmanpreet Kaur made 58 and Deepti Sharma contributed 57. Sophie Ecclestone was England's best bowler with 3-68.
Who are the debutants in the India vs England Women's Test at Lord's?
N Sree Charani made her Test debut for India in this match, while Alice Capsey and Mady Villiers are making their Women's Test debuts for England at Lord's.
