Yastika Bhatia added another historic chapter to Indian women’s cricket on Sunday, becoming the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s.
The left-hander reached the landmark on the third day of the one-off Test against England, ensuring her name would forever feature on the prestigious Lord’s Honours Board. She eventually scored 113 off 158 balls, striking 14 boundaries in an innings that combined patience with fluent strokeplay.
It was also the first Test hundred of her international career.
A milestone at cricket’s most iconic venue
Scoring a century at Lord’s is regarded as one of cricket’s highest individual achievements, with every batter who reaches three figures earning a place on the famous Honours Board inside the Pavilion.
While the venue has hosted men’s Test cricket since 1884, this is the first women’s Test to be played at Lord’s, making Yastika’s century even more significant.
She is now the first woman to have her name on the Honours Board for a Test century at the Home of Cricket.
A knock built on composure
Resuming her innings on the third morning, Yastika enjoyed an early slice of fortune.
England fast bowler Lauren Bell struck the stumps with the opening delivery of the day, but the bails remained intact, allowing the Indian batter to survive. She then made England pay.
Batting with control and discipline, Yastika gradually took charge of the innings, rotating the strike effectively while punishing loose deliveries. She remained composed as she entered the nineties before bringing up her century to warm applause from the Lord’s crowd.
Her innings finally ended when Sophie Ecclestone dismissed her for 113, but by then she had helped India tighten their grip on the match.
Another honour for India at Lord’s
Yastika was not the only Indian player to earn a place on the Lord’s Honours Board during the match. Earlier, fast bowler Kranti Gaud claimed a five-wicket haul in England’s first innings, becoming one of the first Indian women to achieve the feat at the historic venue.
Together, the two performances made the Test a memorable occasion for Indian women’s cricket.
India tighten their grip
After posting 285 in the first innings, with Smriti Mandhana contributing 83, India secured a 115-run first-innings lead, thanks largely to Kranti Gaud’s outstanding spell.
In the second innings, Mandhana once again led from the front with 71, while Yastika shared a valuable 73-run partnership with her before going on to complete her maiden Test century.
India eventually declared on 341 for 7, setting England a challenging target of 457.
Regardless of the final result, the match has already secured its place in history.
