India Women’s Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has urged for more opportunities in Test cricket after leading her side to a historic 270-run victory over England at Lord’s, saying she hopes the landmark result becomes the start of a longer journey for the women’s game in the longest format.
The one-off Test marked the first women’s Test to be staged at Lord’s, with India producing a commanding all-round performance to secure the biggest moment of the series. The victory also continued India’s impressive recent record in red-ball cricket, giving the team four wins from its last five Tests while extending its unbeaten run in England to 10 matches, comprising three victories and seven draws.
Landmark victory strengthens India’s Test credentials
India laid the foundations for victory with strong batting performances across both innings. Smriti Mandhana contributed 83 in the first innings before Yastika Bhatia produced a landmark century, becoming the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lord’s with 113 as India declared their second innings on 341/7 to set England a target of 457.
The bowlers completed the job emphatically, with Kranti Gaud producing a Player of the Match performance after claiming seven wickets across the match, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings, to help dismiss England and seal the 270-run victory.
Harmanpreet hopes for more opportunities
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion during the post-match presentation, Harmanpreet Kaur said: “God is a better writer and he has written it pretty well. Playing at the Lord’s is always special. Really want to thank people who thought about bringing the match here.”
She then turned her attention to the future of the women’s game, adding: “Hopefully, we will get more here (at the Lord’s). Hopefully, we will get 10 more Test matches and we can keep performing.”
Harmanpreet also credited India’s support staff for helping the squad adapt to English conditions following a difficult run of results in the shorter formats.
She said: “It is the effort. The support staff, they have played a lot of Test cricket and they know how it moves, and they are giving us feedback each and every moment. Really want to thank Amol sir and everyone else for the way we played.”
She continued: “The last couple of series have not been in our favour. I want to give credit to the support staff. This summer did not go the way it wanted, but we came back strongly in the Test match.”
The India Captain also highlighted the contributions made by the batting unit, particularly Yastika Bhatia and the opening pair.
Kaur said: “That is why we put her in the eleven. Really happy with the way she (Bhatia) batted. Our openers have been our strength — the way they batted in the first half, it was special to watch.”
She also praised the collective effort in the field, adding: “Really happy the way our entire team fielded. Everyone came together and did the job for the team.”
Kranti Gaud reflects on memorable achievement
Kranti Gaud’s performance earned her a place on the Lord’s Honours Board, a milestone she described as a dream fulfilled after starring with the ball.
Speaking during the post-match presentation, Gaud said: “Growing up, I never imagined something like this would happen. But from the day this Test match began, I told myself that I wanted to get my name on the honours board.”
She added: “I feel extremely proud, and so does my family. I want to thank everyone – my coaches, my seniors, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey.”
Gaud also reflected on how she plans to remember the occasion, saying: “I’ve made a small museum at home, and I’m going to keep the stump there forever.”
England reflects on missed opportunities
England Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt acknowledged that her side struggled to adjust to the conditions and build meaningful partnerships throughout the match.
Speaking during the post-match presentation, Sciver-Brunt said: “We didn’t really adapt to the conditions on Day 1. Then didn’t have enough partnerships with the bat. Players did show characters, just a great experience as the first Test at Lord’s.”
She added: “Don’t think so, happy with the toss decision. But we would have liked a couple more days for practice. But cricketers need to be ready for this and the change of format. This is what you sign up for as a cricketer.”
India’s emphatic victory not only secured a landmark result at the Home of Cricket but also reinforced Harmanpreet Kaur’s call for a larger women’s Test calendar as the team continues to build a strong record in the longest format.
