Key facts
- Yastika Bhatia scored a century at Lord's Test vs England
- Bhatia became first-ever woman cricketer to set a batting record at Lord's
- Kranti Gaud supported Bhatia to leave India on verge of victory after Day 3
- Sophie Ecclestone also made history on the England side
- England's Bazball era: 27 wins, two draws, but no India series win
Yastika Bhatia produced a record-breaking century at Lord's on Day 3 of the women's Test to push India to the brink of a historic victory over England — a result that would rank among the most celebrated in Indian women's cricket history.
Bhatia's innings was not merely significant for its runs; it made her the first woman cricketer to achieve a particular batting landmark at the home of cricket. Kranti Gaud provided vital lower-order resistance alongside her, the pair leaving England with precious little to bowl at and India firmly in command heading into the final stretch of the match.
For England, spinner Sophie Ecclestone also carved her name into the Lord's record books, offering a reminder that even in defeat, individual brilliance was not confined to one dressing room. The match has been a historic occasion for women's cricket on both sides of the contest.
The human story behind Bhatia's knock adds another layer of emotion. Her father recalled how the entire Indian team was moved to tears when she suffered an injury earlier in her career — a testament to the bonds within the squad and how far she has come since that setback.
Should India complete the victory, it will represent a moment of reckoning for England's 'Bazball' era under Brendon McCullum — a side that has collected 27 Test wins but has yet to conquer India in a series. For Indian fans, a Lord's win in women's cricket would be the stuff of treasured sporting memory.