India Women crushed England Women by 270 runs in the one-off Test at Lord's. After being invited to bat first, India Women scored 285 runs in their first innings. Smriti Mandhana played a superb knock of 83 runs, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma scored composed half-centuries. Sophie Ecclestone (3/68 in 21.5 overs) was the most successful bowler for England Women in the first innings.
In reply, England Women were bowled out for 170 runs. Kranti Gaud (5/37) and Sayali Satghare (2/40) dismantled England's top and middle order. Amy Jones was the top scorer for England Women.
In their second innings, India Women declared at 341/7. Yastika Bhatia scored a brilliant century, while Smriti Mandhana added another half-century. Richa Ghosh also smashed a quick-fire fifty and remained unbeaten. Sophie Ecclestone (5/118) once again emerged as England Women's best bowler.
Chasing a daunting target of 457, England Women were reduced to 130/6 by the end of Day 3. The target was always going to be extremely difficult to achieve at Lord's. England resumed the final day at 130/6, still needing another 327 runs for victory. The home side relied heavily on Amy Jones and Sophie Ecclestone, but India tightened their grip early.
Amy Jones, who resumed on an unbeaten 52, added only two more runs before mistiming a shot to Shafali Verma at midwicket. She fell on the 18th ball of the day, giving Sneh Rana her third wicket of the innings and exposing England's lower order. Sneh Rana (4/42) was the best bowler for India Women in the second innings, while Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud, and Deepti Sharma picked up two wickets each.
Ecclestone Fights Alone
Ecclestone produced England's only meaningful resistance on the final morning. The left-arm spinner played confidently and reached her maiden international fifty in just 61 balls.
However, her stay ended soon after. Four deliveries after reaching the milestone, she was beaten by a delivery from Rana that dipped and turned sharply between bat and pad before crashing into the stumps.
Her dismissal effectively ended England's hopes. Lauren Filer remained unbeaten after scoring only a boundary during her patient 22-ball stay at the crease.
Deepti Sharma Cleans Up the Tail
India's experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma quickly removed the remaining batters. Issy Wong struggled throughout her innings, scoring only one run from 33 deliveries before Deepti broke through her defence with a delivery that hit the stumps.
Lauren Bell, despite battling abdominal discomfort that had forced her off the field for a significant period during India's innings on day three, came out to bat alongside Ecclestone. Her resistance lasted only briefly as Deepti struck again seven balls later. Another sharply turning delivery beat Bell through the gate and knocked over the top of off stump.
Huge Target Proved Too Much
India had set England a massive target of 457 runs on Sunday after an outstanding batting display in their second innings. The innings was led by Yastika Bhatia, who scored a brilliant century. Her knock earned her a place on the prestigious Lord's batting honours board. Earlier in the match, Kranti Gaud had secured her name on the bowling honours board with a five-wicket haul, while Ecclestone also joined the honours board after taking five wickets during India's second innings.
Despite those individual achievements for England, the enormous chase proved far beyond their reach.
England Legends Miss Dream Farewell
The match marked the final international appearance for former England captain Heather Knight and opening batter Tammy Beaumont, both of whom had announced their retirements before the Test.
However, neither player enjoyed the farewell they would have hoped for. Beaumont was dismissed for a golden duck, while Knight managed only 13 runs during England's second innings on the third day.
India Dominate from Start to Finish
India controlled the contest from the opening day after England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt chose to field first. The visitors built a strong first-innings total through several important contributions. Smriti Mandhana led the scoring with an excellent 83, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma both registered valuable half-centuries.
India's bowlers then took charge. Kranti Gaud delivered a match-winning spell of 5 for 37 to bowl England out and give India a commanding first-innings lead of 115 runs.
In the second innings, Yastika Bhatia's superb 113 put the match beyond England's reach. She received excellent support from Richa Ghosh, who remained unbeaten with a half-century, while Mandhana added another fifty to strengthen India's position.
Bowlers Seal Complete Team Performance
India's pace attack laid the foundation before the spinners finished the job. Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare shared four wickets between them during the third evening to put England under immediate pressure. Sneh Rana also struck twice before stumps on day three, leaving England with an almost impossible task on the final morning.
The spin duo of Rana and Deepti Sharma then completed the victory with disciplined bowling, sealing a memorable triumph for India in the first women's Test ever played at Lord's.