India completed a commanding 270 run victory over England on the final morning of the historic first women’s Test staged at Lord’s, needing only 95 minutes to finish the contest.
Sneh Rana played a leading role in the closing stages, taking four wickets in the second innings and six across the match. Her final breakthrough came when she bowled Sophie Ecclestone, confirming India’s win and securing the fourth largest victory by runs in women’s Test history.
Ecclestone offered England some resistance with her first international fifty. She reached the milestone from 61 deliveries before Rana found a way through her defence four balls later. Amy Jones, who began the day unbeaten on 52, managed only two additional runs before finding Shafali Verma at midwicket.
England’s lower order struggled against India’s spin attack. Deepti Sharma removed Issy Wong and Lauren Bell in quick succession, hitting the stumps on both occasions. Lauren Filer remained unbeaten after facing 22 deliveries.
India had set England an imposing target of 457 following an excellent second innings century from Yastika Bhatia. Her 113 earned a place on the Lord’s batting honours board. Kranti Gaud had already secured her own place on the bowling honours board after claiming 5 for 37 earlier in the match.
The visitors controlled proceedings from the opening innings. Smriti Mandhana led the scoring with 83, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti both registered fifties. Gaud’s five wicket performance then helped India establish a 115 run first innings advantage.
Bhatia’s century, Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten fifty and another strong contribution from Mandhana pushed the game beyond England’s reach.
For retiring England stars Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont, there was no dream farewell. Instead, India produced a complete performance at Lord’s and sealed a memorable Test triumph.
