Mandhana's twin fifties lead India in historic Lord's Test

India's star opener Smriti Mandhana delivered a commanding performance with twin half-centuries, leading her team to a dominant position in the historic one-off women's Test against England at Lord's. By the end of the third day, India had built a formidable lead, capitalizing on a strong first-innings bowling display.

After England won the toss and elected to field on the opening day, Friday, July 10, 2026, Mandhana anchored the Indian innings with an aggressive, unbeaten 56 by lunch. She reached a run-a-ball fifty, becoming the first woman to score a Test half-century at the iconic ground. Despite early setbacks, including opener Shafali Verma falling for a duck in the second over, Mandhana's 64-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues (35) steadied the tourists. India reached 122 for three at the first interval.

India's bowlers then seized control. Kranti Gaud's superb five-wicket haul dismantled the English batting lineup, bowling them out for 170 and securing a significant first-innings lead of 115 runs. Building on that advantage, India's second innings was again spearheaded by Mandhana. She scored a fluent 83 in the first innings and followed it with a 130-ball 70 in the...