India's women's cricket team scripted a monumental victory against England in their one-off Test, securing a record-breaking win by 347 runs. This victory, achieved on the third day of the match, marked India's first-ever home Test win against the England women's team.
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The match witnessed India's strategic prowess as they declared their second innings at an overnight score of 186/6, setting an imposing target of 479 runs for England. The Indian bowling attack, led by the outstanding Deepti Sharma with figures of 4/32 and supported by Pooja Vastrakar's 3/23, dismantled the English batting lineup, bowling them out for a mere 131 runs. This win etched India's name in the history books as the largest victory margin in women's Test cricket, surpassing Sri Lanka's 309-run win against Pakistan in 1998.
The victory was especially notable as it was India's first in 15 Tests against England at home. Previously, India had defeated England in away matches in 2014 but had struggled to replicate such success on home soil. This win comes as a significant morale booster for the Indian team ahead of their upcoming Test against Australia.
Despite a considerable hiatus from Test cricket - two years without international Test matches and a nine-year gap for hosting a home Test - the Indian team showed remarkable agility and skill. Under Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership, the team executed a flawless game plan. Deepti Sharma's exceptional performance, taking eight wickets in the match, was a highlight, with her 5-wicket haul in the first innings setting the tone for India's dominance.
The match was also a stage for the debutants Shubha Satheesh, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Renuka Thakur to shine, each contributing significantly to the team's success. However, the celebration was somewhat subdued due to Shubha Satheesh's injury, which kept her out of action on the second and third days.
India's comprehensive victory over England at home signifies a new era in their women's cricket, demonstrating their potential and readiness for challenging international contests.
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