India Women tightened their grip on the one-off Test against England at Lord's with another commanding display on Day 2. After young pacer Kranti Gaud produced a historic five-wicket haul to hand the visitors a sizeable first-innings lead, opener Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia ensured India finished the day in complete control. At stumps, India were 154/1 in 42 overs in their second innings, stretching their overall lead to 269 runs with plenty of batting still to come.
Kranti Gaud's five-for hands India a commanding first-innings lead
The foundation for India's dominant position was laid earlier in the day by 21-year-old pacer Kranti Gaud, who etched her name into the history books with a sensational spell of 5/37. Her match-winning performance bundled England out for 170, giving India a crucial 115-run first-innings lead after the visitors had posted 285 in their opening innings.
Gaud became the first-ever woman cricketer to feature on Lord's Test Honours Board, achieving the feat in only her second Test appearance. The young fast bowler also became the youngest Indian female pacer to claim a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
England struggled to build meaningful partnerships throughout their innings, with Amy Jones top-scoring with 52, while Gaud consistently struck at key moments to ensure India remained firmly on top.
Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia extend India's dominance
India carried the momentum into their second innings as Smriti Mandhana once again led from the front with another composed knock.
The left-handed opener registered her second half-century of the match and remained unbeaten on 69 off 124 deliveries at stumps. She was well supported by Yastika Bhatia, who was unbeaten on 39 from 73 balls, with the duo frustrating England's bowlers during an unbroken partnership.
India suffered only one setback in the innings after Shafali Verma was dismissed for 33, with Lauren Filer accounting for the opener. However, the wicket did little to halt India's progress as Mandhana and Yastika steadily extended the visitors' advantage.
By the close of play, India had reached 154/1 in 42 overs, taking their overall lead to 269 runs and putting themselves in a commanding position heading into Day 3. With nine wickets still in hand and two well-set batters at the crease, India will now look to build an imposing target and push England further onto the back foot.