Kranti Gaud starred with a five-wicket haul as India women built a commanding 269-run lead over England after Day 2 of the one-off Test at Lord's. With nine wickets in hand and two days remaining, India are on course to extend their unbeaten record in women's Tests on English soil.
Kranti Gaud dismantles England with a five-for
Harmanpreet Kaur’s bold bowling changes paid off as Kranti Gaud ripped through England’s batting. The pacer picked up where she left off on Day 1, nailing her lengths and using the wobble seam to devastating effect. Alice Capsey’s reprieve—after Richa Ghosh spilled a chance at short leg—was short-lived, as Gaud castled her with a beauty that kissed the top of off.
She had already accounted for Maia Bouchier (extra bounce) and Heather Knight (trapped LBW) before striking early in the second session, removing Nat Sciver-Brunt plumb in front. Gaud’s fifth wicket earned her a place on the Lord’s Honours Board, capping a masterclass in seam bowling.
Amy Jones counters India’s spin threat
England’s fightback came through Amy Jones, who punished India’s wayward spin bowling. The spinners erred too full, and Jones capitalized, creaming half-volleys and punishing the rare short ball. Her 59-ball fifty kept England’s scoreboard ticking at 4 runs per over in the morning session, despite losing three early wickets.
Shree Charani’s tough Test debut
After a stellar T20 World Cup, Shree Charani struggled in her first Test outing. The left-arm spinner conceded 41 runs in 8 overs, with 25 of her 48 deliveries pitched too full—costing 29 runs. Harmanpreet shuffled her ends, but Charani failed to trouble the batters, and after Nat Sciver-Brunt’s slog-sweep six, she was taken out of the attack entirely.
Southpaws Mandhana and Bhatia dominate
India’s openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana added 88 runs to push the lead past 200. Mandhana, initially subdued (11 off 38), exploded with three boundaries off Issy Wong. After Shafali fell to Sophie Ecclestone, Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia mastered the spin threat with decisive footwork.
Their approach neutralized England’s spinners—Ecclestone’s turn dropped from 2.27° to 1.675°, while Villiers’ fell from 3.1° to 2.63°. Bhatia’s four boundaries all came from stepping down the track, and the left-handed duo scored 35 runs at a strike rate of 166.66 while advancing, sealing India’s dominance.
