India Women Take Charge Against England in One-Off Test at Lord’s
On the second day of the one-off Test at Lord’s, the India Women’s cricket team strengthened their position against England. Thanks to Kranti Gaud’s impressive five-wicket haul and a solid performance from Smriti Mandhana, India is now on the brink of a significant victory.
At the end of the day, India had scored 154 runs for just one wicket in their second innings, giving them a commanding lead of 269 runs after bowling England out for 170 in their first innings. India still has nine wickets in hand and two full days to play, setting them up nicely for Day 3.
Gaud Shines Bright
The star of the day was Kranti Gaud, whose outstanding bowling performance included figures of 5 for 37. Her efforts dismantled England’s batting order, ensuring they could not recover despite a resilient middle-order effort.
Gaud made her mark early on Saturday, taking the key wicket of Maia Bouchier in the second over of the day. Shortly after, she bowled Alice Capsey, who could only watch as her off stump was knocked down.
Despite a brief recovery from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones, who added 84 runs for the fifth wicket, India struck back decisively after lunch. Sneh Rana ended the partnership by dismissing Jones for 52, and Gaud returned to clean up the lower order, completing her five-wicket haul. Working together, Satghare and Rana also contributed with two wickets each, as England lost their last five wickets for just 33 runs.
Mandhana’s Steady Hand
With a first-innings lead of 115, India approached their second innings with confidence, led by the reliable Smriti Mandhana. She ended the day unbeaten on 69 off 124 balls, adding to her first-innings fifty and keeping the pressure on England’s bowlers.
Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a strong start, putting together a partnership of 88 runs for the opening wicket. Shafali, who scored 33, was the more aggressive of the two but eventually fell to substitute fielder Emma Lamb off Sophie Ecclestone. Mandhana, meanwhile, showcased her elegant batting with a series of impressive cover drives and a confident six.
Yastika Bhatia joined Mandhana, and together they built an unbroken partnership of 66 runs for the second wicket, ensuring India went to stumps with a commanding lead.
With a 269-run advantage, nine wickets still intact, and favorable batting conditions ahead, India is poised for a historic Test victory at the iconic Lord’s ground.
End of Report
