India win historic Lord's women's Test by 270 runs; Tendulkar hails 'remarkable journey'
Synopsis
For the first time in Lord's storied history, a women's Test was played at the Home of Cricket — and India won it by 270 runs. Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century there; Kranti Goud took the first five-wicket haul. Sachin Tendulkar, watching from the stands, called it 'another beautiful step forward' for women's cricket.
Key Takeaways
India defeated England by 270 runs in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's Cricket Ground .
England were dismissed for 186 chasing a target of 457 .
Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's .
Kranti Goud claimed the first five-wicket haul in a women's Test at the iconic venue.
Sachin Tendulkar , present on the final day, praised the team's performance in an Instagram post, calling the win 'another beautiful step forward' for women's cricket.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana's composure with the bat was also highlighted as a key contribution.
Sachin Tendulkar lauded India's landmark 270-run victory over England in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's Cricket Ground, calling it a defining chapter in the evolution of women's cricket. The batting great, who was present at the ground on the final day, addressed the Indian team before play began and later shared his reflections on social media.
India Script History at the Home of Cricket
India dismissed England for 186 while defending a target of 457, sealing a commanding 270-run win to claim the inaugural women's Test at Lord's. The result etched Harmanpreet Kaur's side into the annals of cricket history at the sport's most iconic venue.
Two individual milestones defined the match. Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's, while fast bowler Kranti Goud registered the first five-wicket haul in a women's Test at the ground — performances that proved decisive in India's triumph.
Tendulkar's Tribute to the Indian Team
Tendulkar, reflecting on the occasion in a post on Instagram, placed the result in the broader arc of the women's game. 'Every cricketer carries the dream of playing at Lord's. Over the past four days, a new generation lived that dream as women's Test cricket arrived at the Home of Cricket for the very first time,' he wrote.
He singled out three performers for special mention. 'Smriti's composure, Yastika's brilliant century and Kranti's five-wicket haul made this occasion even more special,' Tendulkar stated, congratulating the team on 'a wonderful victory.'
He concluded with a wider observation on the sport's trajectory: 'The journey of women's cricket has been remarkable, and this was another beautiful step forward.'
The Significance of Lord's for Women's Cricket
Lord's, administered by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), had never before hosted a women's Test in its more than two centuries of history. The fixture marks a watershed moment, coming at a time when women's cricket globally is seeing unprecedented investment, broadcast reach, and public interest.
Notably, this is part of a broader push by cricket boards to expand the women's Test calendar, which has historically been limited to bilateral series. India's dominant showing — built on vice-captain Smriti Mandhana's composure with the bat — underlines the team's readiness to compete at the highest level of the format.
What Comes Next
The victory is expected to strengthen calls for more women's Test cricket, both in England and internationally. With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) both having committed to growing the women's game, this result will likely intensify discussions around a fuller women's Test schedule in coming years.
Point of View
Two ground-breaking individual records, and a standing ovation from Sachin Tendulkar speaks to the sport's maturation. Yet the deeper question is structural: one historic fixture does not a calendar make. Women's Test cricket remains starved of matches, and unless boards commit to multi-Test series rather than one-off spectacles, moments like this risk becoming isolated landmarks rather than the norm. The BCCI and ECB's willingness to schedule more such fixtures in the next cycle will be the real measure of intent.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the first women's Test at Lord's?
India defeated England by 270 runs in the first-ever women's Test played at Lord's Cricket Ground. England were bowled out for 186 chasing a target of 457, giving India a commanding victory.
Who were the standout performers for India at Lord's?
Yastika Bhatia scored a Test century — the first by a woman at Lord's — while fast bowler Kranti Goud took a five-wicket haul, the first in a women's Test at the venue. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana's composure with the bat was also praised.
What did Sachin Tendulkar say about India's win?
Tendulkar, who was present at Lord's on the final day, wrote on Instagram that 'the journey of women's cricket has been remarkable, and this was another beautiful step forward.' He specifically praised Smriti Mandhana's composure, Yastika Bhatia's century, and Kranti Goud's five-wicket haul.
Why is this win historically significant?
It is the first women's Test ever played at Lord's, one of cricket's oldest and most prestigious venues. India's victory, combined with two individual records set during the match, makes it a landmark moment in the history of women's cricket.
What could this result mean for the future of women's Test cricket?
The historic result is expected to intensify calls for an expanded women's Test calendar. Both the BCCI and ECB have expressed commitment to growing the women's game, and this match is likely to feature prominently in discussions about scheduling more multi-match women's Test series.
