Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s as India tightened their grip on a historic one-off women’s Test against England on the third day, before Kranti Goud led the charge with a devastating new-ball spell that sent the hosts to defeat.

Thanks to Bhatia’s brilliant inning of 113 runs in 158 balls, India declared the innings at 341 runs for seven wickets in its second innings, giving England a challenging target of 457 runs. At stumps, the home team was 130 for six, still needing 327 runs with only four wickets remaining.

The left-handed batsman started the day on 39 runs and produced one of the best innings of her career by playing brilliant strokes with patience. She reached her half-century with a trademark straight drive and continued to use her legs confidently against the spinners before scoring a historic century, etched her name in Lord’s history.

Richa Ghosh then carried the innings forward with an unbeaten 50 off just 52 balls, forcing India to declare the innings just before tea.

ENG-W vs IND-W, Lord’s Test: highlight | Achievement:

England in crisis

Needing to chase the record, England’s hopes suffered an immediate blow when Goud hit a four off the very first ball of the innings. Tammy Beaumont’s farewell international innings ended on a disappointing note as the fast bowler bowled a ball that turned sharply back and disturbed her stumps.

Goud continued to take advantage of the favorable conditions and struck again when Heather Knight’s final international Test innings ended on 13, caught by Richa Ghosh at short leg.

Sayali Satghare matched Goud’s intensity at the other end, trapping Maya Boucher LBW on a dramatic return ball. England found themselves in trouble at 34 for four as India’s fast bowlers picked up the pace during the evening session.

Amy Jones offered resistance with an unbeaten 52, while Maddy Villiers made 26 during a struggling 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket that delayed India’s march to victory.

The partnership was eventually broken by another sharp moment in the field when Richa Ghosh completed an excellent catch at silly point to dismiss Villiers.

India in command

Earlier in the day, India lost the wickets of Smriti Mandhana (70), Jemimah Rodrigues (3) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (16), but Bhatia ensured the visitors never lost control.

After repeatedly questioning the Indian middle-order, England spinner Sophie Ecclestone took five wickets, while Lauren Bell impressed with disciplined seam bowling.

However, this day firmly belonged to India. Bhatia’s history-making century set the stage before Goud and Satghare dismantled England’s top order, making the visitors favorites to pull off a famous victory on the final day in the first women’s Test at Lord’s.

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