Yastika Bhatia Makes History at Lord’s

India Dominate First Women’s Test at Lord’s

Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at the Home of Cricket, striking 113 runs off 158 balls and adding 14 fours to her name. The 25‑year‑old wicketkeeper‑batsman from Baroda powered India towards a declaration of 341 for seven shortly before tea. Her innings included a crisp cover drive, an authoritative pull and a deft late cut, showcasing her confidence against both pace and spin. The historic knock not only secured a commanding position for the visitors but also marked a milestone for women’s cricket at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.

England Collapse After First Innings Set‑up

England entered the series with a difficult position after being bowled out for 170 in their opening innings. Chasing a daunting 457, the tourists were still six wickets short on Day Three, standing at 130 for six and needing 327 runs. Tammy Beaumont was dismissed for a duck in the very first over, while former captain Heather Knight managed only 13 before being caught behind. The wickets deepened England’s struggle and left them a long way from parity.

Indian Bowlers Lead the Attack

India’s seamers orchestrated the early breakthrough. Kranti Gaud claimed two wickets, including Beaumont’s duck and Knight’s 13, to finish with 2 for 40 and overall figures of 7 for 77. Sayali Satghare supported with 2 for 19, removing Maia Bouchier for a duck and delivering another crucial strike. Richa Ghosh contributed as a wicketkeeper‑batsman, posting an unbeaten 50 that helped India post 341 before the declaration. The bowlers’ collective effort forced England to chase a near‑impossible target.

Implications for Future Women’s Test Cricket

This victory marks a watershed moment, as the first ever Women’s Test at Lord’s now includes its first female century‑scorer. Yastika’s achievement sets a new benchmark for upcoming batswomen and highlights India’s depth of talent across batting and bowling. The performance also reinforces the growing competitiveness of women’s Test cricket, inviting greater attention and possibly inspiring more host nations to schedule similar historic fixtures. Going forward, the series will likely be referenced as a turning point in the evolution of the format for women.