India Create History with Record 270-Run Win Over England in First-Ever Women’s Test at Lord’s

London, July 2026 : India etched their name into the history books with a commanding 270-run victory over England in the first-ever Women’s Test match at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, sealing a memorable triumph on the fourth day with a dominant all-round performance.

Off-spinner Sneh Rana starred with the ball, claiming 4 for 42, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with two crucial wickets as England were bowled out for 186 in 62.5 overs while chasing an improbable target of 457 runs. The emphatic win marked one of the greatest moments in Indian women’s cricket and underlined the team’s growing strength in the longest format.

The victory also extended India’s impressive record in women’s Test cricket, giving Harmanpreet Kaur’s side their seventh win in the last 11 Tests. More significantly, India preserved their unbeaten record in Test matches played on English soil.

England resumed the final day at 130/6, hoping that overnight batter Amy Jones could inspire an unlikely fightback. However, India’s bowlers quickly extinguished those hopes. Sneh Rana struck early when Jones, who had battled hard for 54, miscued a pull shot off a short delivery and was comfortably caught by Shafali Verma at mid-wicket.

With Jones’ dismissal, England’s resistance began to crumble.

Issy Wong and Sophie Ecclestone frustrated India briefly with a patient partnership, surviving nearly ten overs despite struggling to score. Deepti Sharma eventually broke the stand with a beautifully flighted delivery that drifted in before straightening to beat Wong’s defence and uproot the off stump.

Ecclestone continued to fight, striking boundaries against both Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma while finding some support from Lauren Bell. However, Deepti once again produced a decisive breakthrough, drawing Bell forward before spinning the ball sharply back to crash into the stumps.

At 159/9, England’s hopes rested solely on Ecclestone, who showed remarkable determination. The left-hander completed her maiden Test half-century in just 61 balls, earning warm applause from the Lord’s crowd for her spirited effort.

But Sneh Rana ensured there would be no prolonged resistance. Producing one of the deliveries of the match, she tossed the ball up outside off stump with inviting flight and subtle dip. Ecclestone stepped forward to defend but was completely beaten as the ball spun through the gate and rattled the stumps, bringing an end to England’s innings and confirming India’s historic victory.

India’s triumph was built on outstanding performances across all departments over four days.

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana laid the foundation with knocks of 83 in the first innings and 70 in the second, providing solidity at the top of the order. Yastika Bhatia then produced a career-defining innings, scoring a magnificent 113, becoming the first woman to register a Test century at Lord’s. Her innings played a pivotal role in putting England under immense scoreboard pressure.

Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh also made a vital contribution with an unbeaten 50 off just 52 deliveries, accelerating India’s scoring before the declaration.

With the ball, fast bowler Kranti Gaud created history earlier in the match by becoming the first bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in a Women’s Test at Lord’s, while Sayali Satghare and Deepti Sharma consistently supported the attack throughout the contest.

The victory became even more special as Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar visited the team before play on the final day and delivered a motivational pep talk. The historic occasion was also witnessed by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.

It took 142 years for Lord’s to host its first Women’s Test, and India ensured the occasion would be remembered forever by producing one of the finest performances in the history of women’s cricket.

Brief Scores: India 285 & 341/7 declared in 86.3 overs (Yastika Bhatia 113, Smriti Mandhana 83 & 70, Richa Ghosh 50*; Sophie Ecclestone 5/118) beat England 170 & 186 in 62.5 overs (Amy Jones 54, Sophie Ecclestone 50; Sneh Rana 4/42, Deepti Sharma 2/36, Sayali Satghare 2/24) by 270 runs.

Team Maverick