Yastika Bhatia's historic Lord's century: 'Six months ago, I wouldn't have believed it'
Synopsis
Yastika Bhatia's unbeaten 113 at Lord's wasn't just a maiden Test century — it was the first by any woman at the ground, and it came after a year of injury that had made even this moment feel unimaginable to her. Six months ago, she says, she wouldn't have believed her name could be on the honours board. Now it is.
Key Takeaways
Yastika Bhatia scored an unbeaten 113 in the one-off women's Test against England at Lord's on 13 July .
She is the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's Cricket Ground , earning a place on its honours board.
Bhatia missed the home ODI World Cup build-up and the Women's Premier League (WPL) due to a year-long injury.
She shared a key partnership with senior opener Smriti Mandhana , whom she credits as a long-time inspiration.
The match is the first-ever women's Test played at Lord's, adding a broader historic dimension to the innings.
Yastika Bhatia scripted history at Lord's Cricket Ground on 13 July, becoming the first woman to score a Test century at the iconic venue, stroking an unbeaten 113 in the one-off women's Test between India and England. The left-hander, returning from a year-long injury layoff, described the milestone as feeling 'like a dream' — a sentiment that carried the full weight of a gruelling comeback.
A Year in the Wilderness
Bhatia's road to Lord's was anything but smooth. A serious injury ruled her out ahead of the home ODI World Cup — a tournament every Indian cricketer dreams of featuring in — and she subsequently missed the Women's Premier League (WPL) as well. By her own account, there were stretches during rehabilitation when a landmark like this felt entirely out of reach.
'It was very tough. That one year, I mean, before a major tournament, a home World Cup, everyone dreams of playing in that. And before that, I got injured. And after that, I missed the WPL as well. It was quite tough, that phase. But I had a lot of people backing me. There was backing from the team, and my family's support was immense at that time. So I'm very grateful for that, that they helped me come out of that situation. If someone had asked me six months ago if my name would be on the honours board, if someone said that, I wouldn't have believed it myself! I would've said, "What are you talking about?" It feels like a dream,' Bhatia said in a BCCI video.
The Moment She Reached Three Figures
When Bhatia lifted her helmet after completing the hundred, a rush of emotions — family faces, the difficult year behind her — came flooding back all at once. She had planned a specific celebration but, in the moment, opted for something quieter and more instinctive.
'I had planned a celebration, but then I thought, let it be... Let's keep it a bit normal. But I kissed the flag, that was a very proud moment for me. I had planned a salute too, but I forgot at that moment. I want to do a lot for India, win a lot for the country and win the World Cup too. So it was a very special moment for me, that I could score a maiden Test hundred and that it happened at Lord's,' she said.
Her name now appears on the Lord's honours board — a distinction she shares with some of cricket's greatest names, and one she is the first woman ever to earn in Test cricket at the ground.
Partnership With Smriti Mandhana
Bhatia's innings was anchored in part by a significant partnership with senior opener Smriti Mandhana, a batter she has admired since her formative years in the sport. Addressing Mandhana directly in the BCCI video, Bhatia made no attempt to conceal the depth of that admiration.
'The fact that I got to bat with you (Smriti) was a great thing for me. I've watched you ever since I started playing cricket; I've followed your batting and when you hit a pull shot, I feel like, "Why am I not able to hit like that?" Seeing you gives me a lot of inspiration. You inspire a lot of youngsters,' Bhatia said.
What This Means for Indian Women's Cricket
The century arrived in the first-ever women's Test staged at Lord's, lending the innings a dual historic significance — personal redemption for Bhatia and a landmark moment for the women's game itself. India's strong position in the match following her knock underlines the competitive strides the team has made in the longer format.
With the World Cup ambition firmly in her sights, Bhatia's return from injury to the Lord's honours board stands as one of the more compelling comeback stories in recent Indian cricket.
Point of View
A ground that has long been the symbolic seat of the sport, and it arrived in the first women's Test ever staged there. That the innings was scored by a player who spent a year fearing she might not return at all gives it a narrative weight that statistics alone cannot carry. What it also signals is the growing ambition of Indian women's cricket in the Test format — a format that, until recently, barely featured in their calendar. The question now is whether the BCCI and England Cricket will build on this moment with more bilateral Test fixtures, or whether it remains a one-off spectacle.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Yastika Bhatia set at Lord's?
Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's Cricket Ground, hitting an unbeaten 113 against England in the one-off women's Test on 13 July. Her name now appears on the Lord's honours board.
Why was Yastika Bhatia out of cricket for a year?
Bhatia suffered an injury that ruled her out ahead of the home ODI World Cup and caused her to miss the Women's Premier League (WPL) as well. She described the rehabilitation period as 'quite tough' but credited her team and family for supporting her return.
What is the significance of the Lord's honours board?
The Lord's honours board records players who score centuries or take five-wicket hauls at the ground, placing them in the company of the sport's all-time greats. Bhatia is the first woman to feature on it for a Test century, a historic distinction given Lord's status as cricket's spiritual home.
Who did Yastika Bhatia bat with during her century innings?
Bhatia shared a key partnership with senior opener Smriti Mandhana during her innings. She described batting alongside Mandhana as 'a great thing,' revealing she has followed Mandhana's batting since she first started playing cricket.
Is this the first women's Test match played at Lord's?
Yes, the one-off India vs England women's Test in which Bhatia scored her century is the first women's Test ever staged at Lord's Cricket Ground, making the match itself a historic occasion beyond the individual milestones it produced.
