Yastika Bhatia’s Historic Lord’s Century

First Woman to Score a Test Hundred at Lord’s

On Sunday, 25‑year‑old wicketkeeper‑batter Yastika Bhatia became the first woman ever to post a Test century at Lord’s. She finished unbeaten on 113 off 158 balls, slamming 14 fours to help India post a formidable total on Day Three of the inaugural women’s Test at the “Home of Cricket” against England. The achievement not only marks a personal milestone but also lights a new chapter for Indian women’s cricket.

Her father, Harish Bhatia, traced the triumph back to months of disciplined work after a severe knee injury derailed her 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup run. The ACL surgery in October kept her sidelined for roughly six months, forcing her to miss the tournament and subsequent national team activities. Yastika’s comeback illustrates how perseverance can turn a setback into a historic moment.

Road to Recovery and Teammate Support

During the Indian women’s camp in Visakhapatnam last September, Yastika’s teammates showed deep compassion when she suffered the injury. “All her teammates were crying when Yastika got injured. They didn’t even let her pack her bags as she was hurt, and did that job for her,” recalled Harish from Baroda. Their ongoing encouragement continued at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where they sent regular “Get well soon Yastika. We are waiting for you” messages.

Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More, a long‑time mentor, guided Yastika through rehabilitation and prepared her for the England tour. “Yastika prepared very hard to prepare for the tour. Credit goes to Kiran More, who has been like a father‑figure to her,” said Harish. More’s consistent advice—“This phase will be over. It’s just a matter of six months”—helped Yastika stay focused and disciplined, never missing a training session.

Key Performances on the England Tour

Before the historic century, Yastika delivered a match‑winning 54 off 40 balls in the first T20I at Chelmsford, showcasing her ability to finish innings under pressure. However, her earlier form suffered during the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, where she managed only 41 runs in four matches at an average of 13.66, leading India to a league‑stage exit.

Her recent knock at Lord’s, therefore, serves as both redemption and a statement of intent, highlighting the rapid improvement after a turbulent period of injury and limited game time.

Voices of Praise from the Cricket Community

Kiran More praised Yastika’s tenacity: “It was a fine century, she played very well… Yastika has now proved her worth with this special ton in Lord’s Test.” More emphasized that the innings was the reward for persistence after repeated injuries and past drops from the side.

Former India captain Diana Edulji expressed optimism: “It was a fabulous century. I hope that this is the turning point in Yastika’s career. She has to remain injury‑free from here and focus on being consistent.” Edulji’s endorsement underscores the hope that Yastika can now build on this breakthrough.

Joining an Elite List at Lord’s

With her hundred, Yastika becomes the latest Indian cricketer to score a Test century at Lord’s, joining an illustrious roster that includes Vinoo Mankad (1952), Gundappa Viswanath (1979), Dilip Vengsarkar (1979, 1982, 1986), Ravi Shastri (1990), Mohammed Azharuddin (1990), Sourav Ganguly (1996), Ajit Agarkar (2002), Rahul Dravid (2011), Ajinkya Rahane (2014) and KL Rahul (2021, 2025). Her name now sits alongside these icons, marking a new era for women’s cricket on the historic ground.