India women crush England by 270 runs in historic Lord's Test debut
Synopsis
India Women did not just win at Lord's — they made history. The first women's Test ever staged at the 142-year-old Home of Cricket ended in a 270-run demolition of England, with a century, a five-for, and a four-wicket haul all being first-time achievements at the ground. Harmanpreet Kaur's side is now unbeaten in red-ball cricket on English soil.
Key Takeaways
India Women defeated England by 270 runs on 13 July in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's Cricket Ground .
Sneh Rana took 4 for 42 and Deepti Sharma claimed 2 for 36 to bowl England out for 186 chasing 457 .
Yastika Bhatia's 113 was the first century by a woman in a Test at Lord's; Kranti Gaud took the first five-wicket haul by a woman at the venue.
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 and keeps their unbeaten record in red-ball cricket in England intact.
The match was attended by Sachin Tendulkar , ICC chairman Jay Shah , and senior BCCI officials.
India Women made history on Monday, 13 July by defeating England by 270 runs in the first-ever women's Test match played at Lord's Cricket Ground, with Harmanpreet Kaur's side bowling the hosts out for 186 while defending a target of 457. The victory is the most celebrated result in Indian women's red-ball cricket in recent memory, and the first time a women's Test has been played at the 142-year-old Home of Cricket.
How India Sealed the Win
Off-spinner Sneh Rana was the wrecker-in-chief on the final morning, finishing with figures of 4 for 42. England resumed on 130 for 6, with overnight half-centurion Amy Jones their last realistic hope. Rana dismissed Jones for 54 to break that resistance. Deepti Sharma then removed Issy Wong and Sophie Ecclestone — who had earlier struck a maiden Test fifty — before Rana completed the victory by bowling Ecclestone through the gate. Deepti's final figures read 2 for 36.
Record-Breaking Performances Across Four Days
The triumph was built on dominant batting across the first three days. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana contributed 83 and 70 across both innings. Yastika Bhatia struck a landmark 113 — the first century by any woman in a Test at Lord's. Richa Ghosh smashed an unbeaten 50 off just 52 balls to accelerate India's second-innings declaration. With the ball, Kranti Gaud entered the record books by claiming the first five-wicket haul by a woman in a Test at the venue.
Tributes Pour In
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane led the congratulations, writing on social media: 'What a special win! Congratulations to Harmanpreet Kaur and the entire team for making history at Lord's. A performance to remember.'
National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman posted on X: 'A truly special win. Congratulations to the Indian Women's team on a memorable Test victory at Lord's. Your skill, resilience, and fighting spirit have made the whole nation proud. Keep it up @BCCI.' Former England captain Michael Vaughan also posted on X, writing: 'Fantastic win for India at Lord's in the historic test match. India completely dominated an England team that once again fell far short of where they should be. Two showcase moments for the women's game this past week. I enjoyed watching.' BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla added his congratulations, praising the team for their landmark performance at the famous venue.
The Broader Significance
The result extended India's unbeaten record in red-ball cricket on English soil and gave them their seventh win in the last 11 women's Tests. The match was witnessed by batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who addressed the team before play on the final day, alongside ICC chairman Jay Shah, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. Notably, this was the first women's Test at Lord's in the ground's 142-year history — a milestone that gives this victory a weight beyond the scoreboard.
Point of View
The ball, and in the record books. What this result also exposes is the structural gap in England Women's red-ball preparation: a home side that could not defend a 142-year milestone on its own ground raises serious questions about the ECB's investment in women's Test cricket. For the BCCI, the challenge now is to build on this moment with a fuller women's Test calendar rather than letting it remain a once-in-a-generation spectacle.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India Women vs England Women Test at Lord's?
India Women defeated England Women by 270 runs in the first-ever women's Test played at Lord's Cricket Ground on 13 July. England were bowled out for 186 chasing a target of 457.
Who were the top performers for India in the Lord's Test?
Sneh Rana was the standout bowler with 4 for 42, while Deepti Sharma took 2 for 36. With the bat, Yastika Bhatia scored 113 — the first century by a woman in a Test at Lord's — and Smriti Mandhana contributed 83 and 70. Kranti Gaud took the first five-wicket haul by a woman at the venue.
Why is this victory historically significant?
It is the first women's Test ever staged at Lord's in the ground's 142-year history, making every record set during the match a first. India's win also extended their unbeaten run in red-ball cricket on English soil and gave them seven wins in their last 11 women's Tests.
What did Ajinkya Rahane say about India's win at Lord's?
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane congratulated the team on social media, writing: 'What a special win! Congratulations to Harmanpreet Kaur and the entire team for making history at Lord's. A performance to remember.'
Who else praised India Women's historic Test victory?
National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman and former England captain Michael Vaughan both posted tributes on X. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla also congratulated the team. Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar was present at the ground and addressed the team before play on the final day.
