India Women beat England by 270 runs in the first women’s Test ever played at Lord’s, securing the largest victory by any Indian team at the iconic venue across men’s and women’s cricket. The win gave India their second-highest margin in women’s Tests and the fourth biggest in the history of the format.
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BCCI congratulates the Indian Women’s Cricket Team on scripting history with a memorable 270-run victory over England in the Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
More Details 🔽 | @MithunManhas | @lonsaikia | #TeamIndia | #ENGvIND https://t.co/JIMqyim0Ds
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 13, 2026
The match lasted three and a half days at Lord’s, drawing a world record attendance of 37,846 for a women’s Test. India declared their second innings at 341 for 7, setting England a target of 457. England were bowled out for 186 in their second innings, with Sneh Rana taking 4 for 42.
India’s first innings of 285 was built around Smriti Mandhana’s 83, Harmanpreet Kaur’s 58 and Deepti Sharma’s 57. In response, England were bowled out for 170 as Kranti Gaud returned 5 for 37, securing a 115-run lead. India then pushed the game beyond England’s reach in their second innings.
Two Indian players put their names on the Lord’s honours board during this Test. Kranti Gaud became the first woman to earn a place on the bowling honours board with her five-wicket haul on day two. Yastika Bhatia followed on day three, scoring 113 to become the first woman to hit a Test century at Lord’s. Mandhana added 70 in the second innings for twin fifties in her 300th international match. Harmanpreet Kaur also became the first Indian cricketer to score a fifty across all three formats at Lord’s.
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What made this win different was the balance of the team. India fielded experienced players who delivered when it mattered. Mandhana with twin fifties, Harmanpreet with her record fifty, Deepti contributing with bat and ball, and Rana leading the attack in the fourth innings. But the difference was that young players stepped up at the biggest moment, not after years of grooming. Bhatia scored a century on debut at Lord’s. Gaud took a five-for on her first visit to the ground. This is not something that happens by accident. It reflects a system where players coming through are ready to perform at the highest level from the very first opportunity. Harmanpreet’s captaincy deserves credit too. She trusted Gaud with the new ball on day two and Bhatia at number three in a Test match, decisions that shaped the game.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India celebrated the win with a formal statement that described the result as a landmark achievement.
“Winning a Test match at the Home of Cricket is a landmark achievement for any cricketer. For this young Indian side, it is a defining moment that reflects the remarkable growth of women’s cricket in the country and the resilience, skill and character that this team continues to display on the world stage.”
BCCI official statement, July 13, 2026
BCCI President Mithun Manhas called it one of the finest moments in Indian women’s cricket. The statement also noted that the victory would inspire generations of cricketers and strengthen the growth of women’s cricket in India.
India coach Amol Muzumdar credited the team’s approach for the result.
“Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game and our group knows it. Test cricket is something that we really pride ourselves in.”
Amol Muzumdar, India Women head coach, post-match press conference, Lord’s, July 13, 2026
He described the team’s method as “aggression mixed with patience.”
Sachin Tendulkar visited the team on the final morning before play and delivered a surprise pep talk. After the win, he called the occasion a “golden moment” for cricket and said “this is just the beginning.”
England captain Heather Knight, who announced her international retirement decision during this Test, accepted the defeat with perspective.
“Life isn’t perfect, cricket isn’t perfect, and it wasn’t the perfect ending. But I’m so happy to be involved in a Test match at Lord’s. It’s been an amazing occasion, despite the result.”
Heather Knight, post-match press conference, Lord’s, July 13, 2026
Knight also pointed out that England’s players have grown up on T20 cricket and need time to learn the discipline of building Test innings.
Harmanpreet Kaur, speaking after the win, said she hopes this leads to more Test matches for the women’s team.
This was India’s first women’s Test win at Lord’s and one of the most significant results in the team’s history. It came after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign earlier this month, making the turnaround even more notable.
Sources:
- Match report, Lord’s, July 10-13, 2026Â ESPNcricinfo
- BCCI official statement, July 13, 2026Â BCCI.tv
- India secure historic Test win against England at Lord’s ICC Cricket
