Yastika Bhatia scores first women's Test century at Lord's

A historic day of cricket at Lord's on Sunday, July 12, 2026, saw India's Yastika Bhatia become the first woman to score a Test century at the iconic ground, propelling her team to the brink of a commanding victory over England. By stumps on the third day of the one-off women's Test, England, set a mammoth target of 457, had collapsed to 130 for six, needing a further 327 runs with just four wickets in hand.

Bhatia, the 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, resumed her innings on 39 not out and reached her maiden Test hundred shortly after lunch, taking a single off Issy Wong to complete the milestone from 145 deliveries. She celebrated by kissing the Lord's turf, her name destined for the ground's Honours Boards. Her innings of 113 from 158 balls, featuring 14 fours, was pivotal despite some fortune; she survived an inside edge that hit the stumps without dislodging the bails and was dropped on 86.

Her effort anchored India's second innings after they resumed at 154 for one. Although opener Smriti Mandhana added only one to her overnight score before falling for 70, and wickets fell at intervals, Bhatia built partnerships to guide India to a declaration at 347 for seven. Richa Ghosh...