India win historic 270-run women's Test at Lord's, first in 142 years
Synopsis
For 142 years, Lord's had never hosted a women's Test. India made sure the first one would be remembered forever — a 270-run demolition of England, a historic century by Yastika Bhatia, a five-wicket haul by Kranti Gaud, and Sneh Rana wrapping it up on day four. Harmanpreet Kaur's side didn't just win; they wrote themselves into the fabric of cricket's most iconic ground.
Key Takeaways
India beat England by 270 runs in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's in the ground's 142-year history .
Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's, making 113 .
Sneh Rana took 4 for 42 and Deepti Sharma took 2 for 36 to bowl England out for 186 in their second innings.
Kranti Gaud claimed the first five-wicket haul in a women's Test at Lord's.
Smriti Mandhana scored 83 and 70 across both innings; Richa Ghosh hit an unbeaten 50 off 52 balls .
The win is India's seventh in their last 11 women's Tests, maintaining an unbeaten record on English soil.
India claimed a historic 270-run victory in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's Cricket Ground on Monday, 13 July, bowling England out for 186 while defending a mammoth target of 457. The win, sealed during the opening session of the fourth day, marks a landmark moment in women's cricket at the 142-year-old Home of Cricket.
How India Sealed the Win
England resumed their second innings at 130/6, with overnight batter Amy Jones — who had already posted a half-century — as their last credible hope. Off-spinner Sneh Rana dismissed her for 54 to break the resistance early. Deepti Sharma then removed Issy Wong and Lauren Bell in quick succession. Rana rounded off the innings by bowling Sophie Ecclestone — who had earlier struck her maiden Test half-century — with a sharp delivery to end England's resistance.
Rana finished with figures of 4 for 42, while Sharma contributed 2 for 36. Kranti Gaud also made history during the match by claiming the first five-wicket haul by any bowler in a women's Test at Lord's.
Batting Performances That Built the Platform
India's commanding total was built on a series of standout contributions. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana scored 83 and 70 across both innings, providing consistent top-order solidity. Yastika Bhatia etched her name in cricket history by becoming the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's, compiling a composed 113. Richa Ghosh added impetus lower down the order with an unbeaten 50 off 52 balls.
The combination of disciplined batting and incisive bowling gave India a target that proved far beyond England's reach on a fourth-day pitch.
BCCI President Hails the Achievement
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Mithun Manhas was among the first officials to congratulate the team. In a post on X, Manhas wrote: 'History in the making! Well done @BCCIWomen for achieving this extraordinary feat. The entire nation is proud of you. Congratulations to Harmanpreet, her team, and the support staff @BCCI. Jai Hind.'
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her squad were also congratulated by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, all of whom were present at the ground.
Historic Context and What It Means
The victory is India's seventh in their last 11 women's Tests and extends their unbeaten record in Test cricket on English soil. Notably, the match was the first women's Test staged at Lord's in the ground's 142-year history — a detail that amplifies the scale of what Harmanpreet's side achieved.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar addressed the Indian team before play began on the final day, in what players will likely recall as an added source of motivation. The confluence of institutional support, individual brilliance, and a historic venue sets this result apart from routine overseas wins.
This victory is expected to strengthen the case for more multi-day women's Tests on the international calendar, a debate that has gained momentum in recent years as the format's quality has risen sharply.
Point of View
But the deeper story is structural: India's women's Test team is no longer an occasional participant — they are a dominant force. Seven wins in 11 Tests, an unbeaten record in England, and now the first century and first five-wicket haul in a women's Test at Lord's, all in the same match. The BCCI and ICC's push for more multi-day women's cricket now has its most compelling advertisement yet. The question is whether administrators will respond with a fuller women's Test calendar, or allow this moment to remain an exception rather than a norm.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of India's women's Test at Lord's?
India beat England by 270 runs in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's, bowling England out for 186 while defending a target of 457. The match concluded on the fourth day, 13 July.
Who took the key wickets for India in England's second innings?
Off-spinner Sneh Rana was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 42, dismissing Amy Jones for 54 and bowling Sophie Ecclestone to end the innings. Deepti Sharma supported with 2 for 36, removing Issy Wong and Lauren Bell.
Who scored a century for India at Lord's?
Yastika Bhatia scored 113 to become the first woman to hit a Test century at Lord's in its 142-year history. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana also contributed 83 and 70 across both innings.
Why is this victory historically significant?
It was the first women's Test ever played at Lord's, a ground that has hosted men's cricket for 142 years. India's win — combined with Bhatia's century and Kranti Gaud's five-wicket haul — means the inaugural match at the venue was defined entirely by Indian milestones.
Who were the notable figures present at the match?
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar spoke to the Indian team before the final day's play. ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia were also present at Lord's.
