India Women enjoyed a commanding opening day in the historic one-off Test against England Women at Lord’s, posting 285 all out in 74.5 overs before reducing the hosts to 21/1 in 11 overs at stumps. Led by half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana (83), Harmanpreet Kaur (58) and Deepti Sharma (57), India finished the day firmly in control, with England still trailing by 264 runs.
After England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt opted to field first under clear skies, the new-ball attack made an immediate impact. Lauren Filer needed just a few deliveries to provide the breakthrough, removing Shafali Verma for 0(4) as India slipped to 4/1 in the second over. Mandhana quickly settled into her rhythm. The left-hander countered England’s seamers with characteristic fluency, stitching together a 33-run stand with Yastika Bhatia before Lauren Bell bowled Bhatia out for 12(17). India were 37/2 after 7 overs, but Mandhana ensured the early setbacks did not derail the innings.
Joined by Jemimah Rodrigues, Mandhana accelerated the scoring rate during the morning session. The pair added 64 runs for the third wicket in just 49 balls, with Rodrigues matching Mandhana’s positive approach. Mandhana reached a brisk half-century from 50 deliveries, striking 8 fours and a six, while Rodrigues contributed 35(38) before Issy Wong ended the partnership by bowling her just before lunch. India went into the interval well placed at 122/3, with Mandhana unbeaten on 56.
The second session belonged to Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The experienced duo steadied the innings after Rodrigues’ dismissal, putting together an important 89-run partnership. Harmanpreet adopted a measured approach, reaching her fifty from 99 balls, while Mandhana continued to find the boundary with ease. She eventually fell for 83(108), caught behind off Wong after striking 11 fours and one six, ending an innings that laid the foundation for India’s competitive total.
England hit back immediately after the dismissal of Mandhana. Mady Villiers, making her Test debut, trapped Harmanpreet leg before wicket for 58(121), while Richa Ghosh could only contribute 13(12) before edging Filer behind. At 229/6, India risked surrendering the advantage they had built earlier in the day. Instead, Deepti Sharma once again demonstrated her value in the longer format.
Batting with composure, she added 45 runs alongside Sneh Rana to frustrate England during the afternoon session. Deepti brought up her fifty from 70 balls, finishing with 57(87), including 7 boundaries, before becoming the ninth wicket to fall after being caught off Sophie Ecclestone. Rana chipped in with a patient 13(36). Sayali Satghare managed 1(23), while Kranti Gaud also scored 1(3) before both fell to Sophie Ecclestone. Shree Charani remained unbeaten on 3(1) as India were dismissed for 285.
Ecclestone was England’s most successful bowler with 3/68 from 21.5 overs, while Filer (2/40), Wong (2/41) and Villiers (2/79) shared the remaining wickets. Bell finished with 1/50.
India carried their momentum into the final session with the ball. Kranti Gaud produced the breakthrough England needed least, trapping Tammy Beaumont for 2(7) in the fourth over of what is set to be the opener’s final international match. Beaumont reviewed the decision, but the on-field call stood, leaving England 9/1.
From there, Maia Bouchier and Heather Knight dug in through a testing spell from Gaud and Sayali Satghare, who consistently challenged the outside edge with the new ball. Bouchier remained unbeaten on 17(40), while Knight survived on 1*(20) as England reached 21/1 at stumps, still 264 runs behind India’s first-innings total.
With a healthy first-innings score on the board and an early breakthrough in England’s reply, India will head into Day 2 firmly on top, while the hosts will rely on Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt and their experienced middle order to claw their way back into the contest.
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