India women beat England by 270 runs at Lord's in historic Test win
Synopsis
India's women didn't just win at Lord's — they made history. Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at the 'Home of Cricket', Kranti Gaud claimed its first women's five-for, and a 270-run victory in the ground's first-ever women's Test in 142 years sent a clear message: this team belongs on the biggest stages.
Key Takeaways
India women defeated England by 270 runs in the one-off Test at Lord's Cricket Ground on 13 July .
Yastika Bhatia scored 113 — the first Test century by a woman at Lord's .
Sneh Rana took 4 for 42 and Deepti Sharma took 2 for 36 to bowl England out for 186 chasing 457 .
Kranti Gaud claimed the first five-wicket haul in a women's Test at Lord's .
The match was the first women's Test at Lord's in the ground's 142-year history .
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and ICC Chairman Jay Shah were present at the ground and met the Indian team.
The Indian women's cricket team sealed a commanding 270-run victory over England in the one-off Test at Lord's Cricket Ground on Monday, 13 July, in what stands as one of the most significant results in the team's Test history. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah were among the distinguished guests who witnessed the triumph at the 'Home of Cricket'.
How India Sealed the Win
England, set an imposing target of 457, were bowled out for 186 in their second innings during the opening session on Day 4. Off-spinner Sneh Rana was the wrecker-in-chief, finishing with figures of 4 for 42, while Deepti Sharma contributed 2 for 36. England resumed the morning at 130 for 6, with overnight half-centurion Amy Jones offering the last credible resistance before Rana dismissed her for 54. Deepti then removed Issy Wong and Lauren Bell in quick succession, before Rana ended the match by clean-bowling Sophie Ecclestone — who had earlier struck a maiden Test half-century — with a well-directed delivery.
Batting Performances That Built the Platform
India's commanding total was built on a series of individual milestones. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana contributed 83 and 70 across both innings, providing consistency at the top. Yastika Bhatia made history by becoming the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's, compiling a superb 113. Richa Ghosh added a brisk unbeaten 50 off 52 balls, while Kranti Gaud claimed the first five-wicket haul in a women's Test at Lord's, completing a landmark double for India at this iconic venue.
The Historic Significance
The match was the first women's Test at Lord's in the ground's 142-year history — a fact that lent the occasion an extraordinary weight. India's victory ensured that milestone would be remembered with a result to match. The win also extended India's unbeaten record in women's Test cricket on English soil and marked their seventh win in their last 11 women's Tests. Notably, this is the kind of landmark result that the women's game has long deserved on the grandest stages.
Distinguished Witnesses and Official Presence
Before play commenced on the final morning, Sachin Tendulkar addressed the Indian team in the dressing room — a moment that players are unlikely to forget. He was accompanied at the ground by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia. Their presence underscored the institutional recognition now being accorded to the women's game at the highest level. This comes amid a broader global push to expand women's Test cricket, with ICC and national boards investing more in the format.
What Comes Next
The result is expected to strengthen calls for more women's Test fixtures, both for India and globally. With a generation of players now having performed at the highest level on the most storied ground in cricket, the momentum for a fuller women's Test calendar appears stronger than ever.
Point of View
Which says as much about how long the women's game was kept off the grandest stages as it does about India's current strength. With Yastika Bhatia and Kranti Gaud writing their names into Lord's history books, the BCCI and ICC now face a pointed question — why are these players getting so few Test matches to make such moments possible? India's seventh win in 11 women's Tests suggests a team at its peak; the calendar does not yet reflect that.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
By how many runs did India women beat England at Lord's?
India women defeated England by 270 runs in the one-off Test at Lord's on 13 July. England, set a target of 457, were bowled out for 186 in their second innings on Day 4.
Who scored the first Test century by a woman at Lord's?
Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's, making 113 during India's first innings. The feat came in the ground's first-ever women's Test in its 142-year history.
Who were the top performers for India in the Lord's Test?
Sneh Rana (4 for 42) and Deepti Sharma (2 for 36) shared the bowling honours in the second innings. With the bat, Smriti Mandhana scored 83 and 70, Yastika Bhatia hit 113, and Richa Ghosh made an unbeaten 50 off 52 balls. Kranti Gaud claimed the first five-wicket haul in a women's Test at Lord's.
Why was the Lord's Test historically significant?
It was the first women's Test ever played at Lord's Cricket Ground in its 142-year history. India's victory — combined with individual records set by Bhatia and Gaud — ensured the occasion was marked by landmark performances.
Was Sachin Tendulkar present at Lord's for the India women's Test?
Yes, Sachin Tendulkar was present at Lord's and spoke to the Indian team before play began on the final day. He was accompanied by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.
