Yastika Bhatia’s maiden Test century puts India on the brink of a historic win against England on Day 3 at Lord’s

The historic hallowed turf of Lord’s Cricket Ground is witnessing a monumental shift in women’s Test cricket. As the landmark standalone Test between England Women and India Women headed into its business end on July 12, 2026, the visitors placed themselves firmly in the driver’s seat. Driven by a sensational display of tactical batting and dynamic bowling, India have dismantled the hosts’ resistance, setting up what could be their most iconic victory on English soil.

Yastika Bhatia’s brilliant maiden Test hundred strengthens India’s push on Day 3

Resuming Day 3 with an already formidable vantage point, India’s secondary innings was anchored by a masterclass in modern Test batting. Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia stole the spotlight, converting her overnight composure into a magnificent, maiden Test century. Bhatia’s stellar 113 off 158 deliveries was an exhibition of pristine balance and aggressive intent, punctuated by 14 boundaries and a maximum.

Bhatia found excellent early support from elegant opener Smriti Mandhana, who laid the foundation with a classy 70 off 130 balls, smashing 9 fours. While spin wizard Sophie Ecclestone tried to stem the flow of runs with a gruelling marathon spell of 5 for 118, India’s middle and lower order kept pushing the scoring rate.

Following a solid contribution from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, dynamic youngster Richa Ghosh provided the late-innings fireworks. Ghosh aggressively blasted a 52-ball 50, featuring 8 boundaries, pushing India to a commanding total of 341/7 before Kaur smartly triggered the declaration. This set England a staggering, near-impossible fourth-innings target of 457 runs.

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India in command and on course for a historic win against England at Lord’s

Faced with a mountain to climb, the English batting lineup crumbled spectacularly under relentless, disciplined pressure from the Indian bowling attack. Playing under the pressure of a massive run chase, England’s top order collapsed in rapid succession.

Openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier were dismissed cheaply for 0 and 2 respectively, courtesy of fiery opening spells by Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare. Gaud, continuing her spectacular match form after a lethal 5-wicket haul (5/37) in the first innings, struck early blows alongside Satghare, leaving the home side reeling. England’s mainstay Nat Sciver-Brunt was clean-bowled by Sneh Rana for just 11, while captain Heather Knight could only muster a gritty 13 before falling to Gaud.

Though Amy Jones fought back defiantly with a valiant, unbeaten 52 off 72 balls to guide England to 130/6 at stumps, the mountain remains far too steep. With only 4 wickets remaining and 327 runs still left to hunt down, India stands just moments away from securing a historic, era-defining Test victory at the Home of Cricket.