Picture Credit: PA Photos/Getty Images/BCCI
India tightened their grip on the one-off Women’s Test against England after Yastika Bhatia produced a memorable century and the bowlers dismantled the hosts’ batting order on the third day at Lord’s.
England finished the day on 130/6 while chasing a daunting 457-run target, leaving India needing only four more wickets to secure a historic maiden Test victory at the iconic venue.
Beginning the day at 154/1, India extended their dominance despite Smriti Mandhana departing for a well-made 70 after once again falling short of a century.
Yastika anchored the innings brilliantly, overcoming a couple of early reprieves before converting her start into a superb 113. Her innings made her the first woman to register a Test hundred at Lord’s and earned her a place on the prestigious Honours Board.
Richa Ghosh injected late momentum with an unbeaten half-century, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Sayali Satghare added useful runs to help India declare at 341/7.
India’s pace and spin attack made immediate inroads into England’s chase.
Kranti Gaud removed Tammy Beaumont without scoring before also dismissing Heather Knight, while Sayali Satghare struck twice by sending Maia Bouchier and Alice Capsey back to the pavilion.
Sneh Rana continued the pressure by bowling Nat Sciver-Brunt and later accounting for Mady Villiers, with Richa Ghosh taking an excellent close-in catch.
Amy Jones offered England some resistance with an unbeaten 52 and shared a valuable partnership with Mady Villiers, but the hosts remained firmly on the back foot.
At stumps, England still required 327 runs with only four wickets remaining, leaving India on the verge of completing one of the most significant victories in the history of their women’s Test team.
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