Yastika Bhatia's century propels India women to brink of historic Lord's Test victory
India women's cricket team is on the verge of a famous win at Lord's, playing their first-ever Test at the iconic venue. Heading into the final day on Monday, Harmanpreet Kaur's side needs just four wickets to beat England in the one-off Test, following a dominant bowling performance and a strong batting effort.
India's batters piled on 371 runs in the second innings before declaring, setting England a target of 457. Yastika Bhatia was the star, scoring her maiden Test century and becoming only the sixth Indian woman to achieve a Test hundred overseas. Her innings had a stroke of luck early on when Lauren Bell hit the stumps but the bails stayed on.
Smriti Mandhana was dismissed by Bell, edging a delivery down the leg side to wicketkeeper Amy Jones. Soon after, Bell bowled Jemimah Rodrigues with a sharp inswinger. Sophie Ecclestone then trapped Harmanpreet Kaur leg before wicket. Bhatia reached her century off 145 balls, and it marked the first time in 24 years that an Indian woman scored a Test ton on English soil; Mithali Raj had scored 214 at Taunton in 2002.
Ecclestone broke the 52-run partnership between Bhatia and Deepti Sharma when the latter misjudged a sweep. Bhatia attempted to accelerate but was caught by Mady Villiers off Ecclestone. Ecclestone later dismissed Sneh Rana to claim her fourth five-wicket haul in Tests.
Richa Ghosh, the last recognised batter, played an aggressive innings, scoring an unbeaten 50 off 52 balls with eight boundaries. India declared at 341 for 7, with a lead of 456 runs.
England's improbable chase began disastrously. Kranti Gaud bowled Tammy Beaumont with the first ball of the innings, ending her outstanding international career in anticlimactic fashion. Sayali Satghare bowled Maia Bouchier, and Sneh Rana dismissed Nat Sciver-Brunt. Heather Knight, England's most-capped international player, fell for 13, edging Gaud to short leg. Satghare struck again to remove Alice Capsey. At 59 for 5, a fourth day seemed unlikely, but Amy Jones and Mady Villiers resisted to take the match into the final day.
