Indian pacer Kranti Gaud claimed a historic five-wicket haul against England in the one-off Women's Test at Lord's on 12 July, reducing the hosts to 170 all out and putting India firmly in command. The performance made the 22-year-old the first woman to earn a place on the iconic Lord's Test honours board — a moment that left her coach, Rajiv Bilthare, visibly emotional.

Coach's Reaction

Bilthare, who has guided Kranti through the ranks, described the achievement as the fulfilment of a shared dream. 'Every player dreams of playing at Lord's, and every coach dreams of seeing their student play at Lord's. Kranti Gaud has not only played at Lord's but has also delivered such a magnificent performance. To take five wickets at Lord's and create a record is an extraordinary achievement. Today, my happiness knows no bounds. I hope she continues to perform even better in the future, keeps progressing, and establishes herself as one of the leading fast bowlers in the game,' Bilthare said in a video shared on Star Sports' X account.

The Wickets That Made History

Kranti's five-wicket spell accounted for Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Lauren Bell. Beyond the honours board distinction, she also became the youngest Indian woman fast bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in Test cricket — a record that underscores the scale of the occasion.

A Landmark for Indian Women's Fast Bowling

Kranti's performance is the first five-wicket haul by an Indian woman fast bowler in Test cricket since the legendary Jhulan Goswami achieved the feat against England at Taunton in 2006 — a gap of nearly two decades. That context elevates the achievement beyond personal glory; it signals a generational shift in India's pace-bowling depth in the women's game.

Family Joins the Celebration

The milestone resonated deeply with Kranti's family. Her brother, speaking in the same Star Sports video, said: 'My sister, Kranti Gaud, has taken five wickets at the historic Lord's ground in England. By doing so, she has not only etched her name into history but has also pulled the Indian cricket team closer to victory. Many congratulations to Kranti and the Indian team, and we hope Team India go on to win this Test.'

India's Position in the Test

With England bowled out for 170, India held a commanding position in the one-off Test. The visitors will now look to press home the advantage and seal a historic result at the Home of Cricket — a venue that has now formally recognised an Indian woman pacer for the first time.