All’s well that ends well. The Indian Women’s cricket team has been in England since the end of May, and finally they have tasted some success here, as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side went on to win the first ever Test at the Lord’s. And it was a convincing 270-run win to thwart the hosts, England on day 4 of the match, on Monday.
It was a Test that will be remembered for a long time, as Yastika Bhatia and Kranti Gaud became the first ever players — in batting and bowling, to get their names up on the Lord’s honors board, in a women’s Test. Bhatia is the only player to score a Test ton at the venue, while Gaud was the first one to bag a fifer. All-in-all a win that would help the Indian team keep aside the disappointment of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 failure.
The visiting side had, ever since start of the tour had lost quite a bit — the T20I series to England 1-2, then the T20 World Cup.. but the end has been sweet. Meanwhile, this happens to be India’s 9th Test win in 43 Tests, and their first since one against SA in 2024.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s impeccable record as Test skipper
Harmanpreet has maintained as excellent record as a Test skipper, winning 4 in 6 matches, and losing only 1. That also makes her the most successful Indian women’s Test skipper, surpassing Mithali Raj, who had 3 wins in 8 matches. Since 2023, she had registered wins against England, Australia and South Africa, making India an all-conditions team in the format.
India vs England, as it happened
The match started with Smriti Mandhana becoming the maiden player to score a fifty at the venue (83). Harmanpreet (58) and Deepti Sharma (57) followed her, as India posted 285 in the first innings. Post that, Kranti unleashed her swing to return with figures of 5/37, as England were bundled out for 170 only, with India getting a lead of 115.
The second innings came as an improvement for India, where Yastika impressed with her ton (113), to take the score to 341. Eventually, hosts were set a target of 457. They were bundled out for 186, with Sneh Rana emerging as the best bowler, with figures of 4/42.
Cricket
Harmanpreet Kaur's Team India hands hosts England humiliation, 270-run defeat at iconic Lord's Test
