Fast bowler Kranti Goud’s first five-for and Smriti Mandhana’s unbeaten half-century helped India Women tighten their grip after a strong performance on the second day of the one-off Test against England at Lord’s, taking the visitors closer to a famous victory.

At stumps, India were 154 for 1 in their second innings, taking their total to 269 runs after bowling out England for 170 in reply to the first innings score. With nine wickets still in hand and two full days left, India are firmly in control on the third day.

England vs India, Lord’s Test: Update | Achievement:

Gaud took charge

The day belonged to Kranti Gaur, whose aggressive spell of 5 wickets for 37 runs demolished England’s batting line-up and ensured that the hosts could never recover despite a spirited stand from the middle order.

After removing Tammy Beaumont late on the opening day, Goud wasted little time on Saturday, striking in her second over of the morning when Maia Boucher edged past wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia.

Her extraordinary wicket came soon afterwards when Alice Capsey was beaten with enough movement to cause her off stump to fall back.

Sayali Satghare trapped former captain Heather Knight LBW to reduce England’s score to 47 for 4, after which captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones took the innings forward.

The pair added 84 runs for the fifth wicket, with Jones scoring a brilliant half-century and Sciver-Brunt providing solid support as England threatened to erase India’s first-innings lead.

However, India responded strongly after lunch. Sneh Rana broke the partnership by dismissing Jones for 52, before Goud returned to wrap up the lower order, completing his first five-wicket haul in red-ball cricket. Satghare and Rana took two wickets each, as England lost their last five wickets for just 33 runs.

Mandhana’s height is tall

With a lead of 115 runs in the first innings, India started their second innings with discipline and authority, led once again by Smriti Mandhana.

The left-handed batsman remained unbeaten on 69 runs in 124 balls and after his half-century in the first innings, played another composed innings which kept the England bowlers under constant pressure.

Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India an ideal start by adding 88 runs for the first wicket. While Shafali was the more aggressive of the two, making 33 before being dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone to substitute fielder Emma Lamb, Mandhana opened the innings with trademark elegance.

His cover drive was a highlight of the innings, while a six straight off Ecclestone highlighted his growing confidence.

After this, Yastika Bhatia along with Mandhana further disappointed England, the pair made an unbroken partnership of 66 runs for the second wicket, taking India safely to the stumps.

With a lead of 269 runs, nine wickets in hand and batting conditions still favourable, India will resume on day three with their sights set on achieving a target well beyond England’s reach and a memorable Test win at the home of cricket.

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