Yastika Bhatia's unbeaten 91 puts India 365 ahead of England at Lord's
Synopsis
Yastika Bhatia's unbeaten 91 at Lord's has put India on the cusp of an innings-defining declaration. Dropped on 86, she batted through a three-wicket session to leave England staring at a chase of well over 365 — on a pitch already showing wear. A maiden Test century and a place on the Lord's Honours Board could be hers in the afternoon session.
Key Takeaways
Yastika Bhatia is unbeaten on 91 off 86+ balls , hitting ten boundaries , as India reached 250/4 at lunch on Day 3 .
India's overall lead stands at a commanding 365 runs in the one-off women's Test at Lord's .
Smriti Mandhana fell for 70 , missing a century for the second consecutive time; Harmanpreet Kaur made 16 before being trapped lbw by Sophie Ecclestone .
Lauren Bell took 2 for 27 and Sophie Ecclestone 2 for 84 for England.
Kranti Gaud's first-innings 5 for 37 bundled England out for 170 , handing India a crucial first-innings lead.
Yastika was dropped on 86 by Mady Villiers — a costly miss as England face a near-improbable chase.
Yastika Bhatia anchored India's batting with a composed, unbeaten 91 as the visitors posted 250/4 at lunch on Day 3 of the one-off women's Test against England at Lord's on 12 July, stretching their overall lead to a commanding 365 runs. The wicketkeeper-batter's knock, laced with ten boundaries, kept India firmly in control despite a flurry of mid-session wickets.
Key Developments at Lunch
India resumed the morning session on 154/1, with Smriti Mandhana adding just one run to her overnight score before falling agonisingly short of a century for the second consecutive time. A leg-side strangle off Lauren Bell was completed by a leaping Amy Jones, who grabbed the ball just above the ground to her right. Bell struck again in her very next over, castling Jemimah Rodrigues with a sharp inswinger that threaded through the gate.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur looked fluent in a brisk 16-run cameo that included two boundaries, but was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone following a successful review by the hosts. Three wickets in the session could have rattled India — instead, Yastika absorbed the pressure and accelerated.
Yastika Bhatia's Defining Knock
Yastika brought up her second Test fifty off 86 balls with a well-timed boundary off Bell, then shifted gears without losing control. She survived a nervy moment when an inside edge off Lauren kissed the stumps without dislodging the bails, and was dropped on 86 by bowler Mady Villiers. Taking full advantage of both reprieves, she smashed consecutive boundaries off Lauren Filer and lofted Sophie Ecclestone safely for four to move into the 90s. A push off the final ball of the session brought up India's 250 and left her tantalizingly close to what would be her maiden Test century.
Notably, Yastika has a very real chance of registering her name on the iconic Lord's Honours Board — a milestone that carries special significance in the longer format. Deepti Sharma remains unbeaten on 10 at the other end.
England's Bowling Assessment
Lauren Bell was England's most potent threat, finishing the session with figures of 2 for 27, while Sophie Ecclestone claimed 2 for 84. However, England were far from their sharpest in the field, with the drop of Yastika on 86 proving a costly lapse. The hosts now face the daunting prospect of a near-improbable chase on a pitch showing increasing signs of wear and tear as the match progresses.
Match Situation and What's Next
India's first innings total of 285 gave them a first-innings lead after dismissing England for 170, with Kranti Gaud claiming a five-wicket haul of 5 for 37. Amy Jones top-scored for England with 52. With a lead already beyond 365 and wickets in hand, India are well-positioned to set England an improbable fourth-innings target. The afternoon session will be critical — if Yastika converts her 91 into a century, India could declare with a lead north of 400, placing this Test effectively beyond England's reach.
Brief Scores: India 285 and 250/4 in 67 overs (Yastika Bhatia 91 not out, Smriti Mandhana 70; Lauren Bell 2-27, Sophie Ecclestone 2-84) lead England 170 all out in 59.1 overs (Amy Jones 52; Kranti Gaud 5-37) by 365 runs.
Point of View
Yastika absorbed the pressure and accelerated, exposing a bowling attack that has looked toothless outside Bell's spell. The drop on 86 may prove the defining moment of the match: England's fielding lapses have repeatedly cost them in this game, and on a wearing pitch, a target beyond 400 could render the final day a formality rather than a contest.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is India's lead over England in the one-off women's Test at Lord's?
India lead England by 365 runs at lunch on Day 3, having posted 250/4 in their second innings after bowling England out for 170 in the first. India's own first-innings total was 285 .
How is Yastika Bhatia performing in the Lord's Test?
Yastika Bhatia is unbeaten on 91 , hitting ten boundaries, and is on the verge of what would be her maiden Test century. She anchored India's innings through a difficult mid-session period when three wickets fell in quick succession.
Who took wickets for England in India's second innings?
Lauren Bell claimed 2 for 27 and Sophie Ecclestone took 2 for 84 . Bell dismissed Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, while Ecclestone trapped Harmanpreet Kaur lbw following a successful DRS review.
Who was the standout bowler for India in England's first innings?
Kranti Gaud took a five-wicket haul of 5 for 37 , the primary reason England were dismissed for just 170 in their first innings. Amy Jones top-scored for England with 52 .
Can England win or save the one-off women's Test at Lord's?
England face a very difficult task. Trailing by 365 runs with India still batting and wickets in hand, the hosts are likely to be set a target well beyond 400 on a pitch showing wear — making a draw or win extremely unlikely.
