India batsman Yastika Bhatia (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Yastika Bhatia’s record-breaking maiden century took India Women to the brink of a historic first Test win at Lord’s after a dominant third day, but the bowlers restricted England to 130/6 in pursuit of an impossible target of 457.Just four wickets away from creating history at the Home of Cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side ended the day firmly in control despite spirited resistance from the lower order of Amy Jones and Mady Villiers.

Yastika created history in the house of cricket

Starting the third day with a good first innings lead, India continued to pile on the runs despite England enjoying a better opening session with the ball. Lauren Bell dismissed Smriti Mandhana (70) early before also dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues. After this, Sophie Ecclestone trapped Harmanpreet Kaur LBW, due to which England made a brief comeback in the match.However, Yastika Bhatia remained unfazed. Displaying remarkable composure and brilliant strokeplay, the left-handed batsman scored her maiden Test century and became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s. Her memorable innings of 113 runs off 158 balls also became the highest score by an Indian woman in the third or fourth innings of a Test match.England spinner Sophie Ecclestone fought tirelessly to complete her fourth five-wicket haul in the women’s Test, but India remained dominant due to a lack of support at the other end.

Richa Ghosh provides late night fireworks

After Bhatia’s departure, wicketkeeper-batsman Richa Ghosh brought new momentum to the innings by attacking the England bowlers with a quickfire 50 not out from 52 balls. With India’s lead exceeding 450, captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared the innings at 341/7, giving England a mammoth target of 457 runs to survive or chase.

Indian fast bowlers destroyed England’s top order

India’s bowlers wasted little time in consolidating their hold on the contest.Debutants Kranti Gaur and Sayali Satghare produced another brilliant spell with the new ball and dismissed openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Boucher within the first four overs. Beaumont’s dismissal also marked the end of her international career, while former captain Heather Knight, who was playing her final Test before retirement, was later dismissed by Kranti Goud and received a guard of honor from the Indian team as she walked out.England’s problems worsened when Sneh Rana beautifully bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt before Sayali breached Ellis Capsey’s defence, reducing the hosts to 59/5.

Jones, Villiers delay the inevitable

When India looked set to seal the match on the third evening, Amy Jones and Mady Villiers displayed a determined performance. The two made a strong partnership of 67 runs, which frustrated the Indian attack and kept England’s hopes alive for some time.The stand was eventually broken in spectacular fashion as Richa Ghosh took a brilliant close-in catch at silly point off the bowling of Sneh Rana to dismiss Villiers. Jones continued his resistance, scoring a serious half-century, but England still ended the day in deep trouble at 130/6, needing 327 runs with only four wickets remaining.