One-off Test at Lord's kicked off with a bang. India put up 285 runs in first innings, thanks to Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur,and Deepti Sharma. Mandhana's solid 83 runs anchored things, while Kaur and Sharma chipped in with 58 and 57.
India looked promising early,but momentum slipped after losing quick wickets. At 37 for two, Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia were back in pavilion within seven overs. But Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied things,crafting a 64-run stand that pushed India past 100 without further damage.
Mandhana went on the offensive against Lauren Filer, smashing back-to-back boundaries,then sent spinner Sophie Ecclestone for a six. Rodrigues played her part too, hitting Ecclestone for two quick boundaries. Their stand shifted momentum India's way.
Things changed when Rodrigues edged Issy Wong onto her stumps for 35. India needed to capitalize on their solid start. Mandhana and Kaur then put together an 89-run partnership, taking advantage of England's lackluster bowling.
As innings wore on, English bowlers found rhythm. Test debutant Mady Villiers and Filer slowed run rate, but Kaur countered with elegant cover drives. Mandhana's century hopes dashed when she edged Wong to Amy Jones. Kaur fell soon after,bowled by Villiers just before tea,leaving India at 202 for five .
Post-tea,Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana added 45 runs for sixth wicket, pushing India past 250. But English bowlers struck back,taking last five wickets for just 83 runs. That collapse from strong position could be costly.
Sophie Ecclestone was standout,taking three wickets and surpassing Katherine Sciver-Brunt as England's top wicket-taker with 338. Her efforts crucial in holding India to 285 as innings faltered late.
End of day one saw England at 21 for one,with Maya Bouchier and Heather Knight at crease. Bouchier not out on 17,Knight yet to score after Tammy Beaumont fell for 2.
As match unfolds,both teams eye momentum shift . India's batting depth faces test against England's bowlers,who can take wickets in bunches. How well each side adapts to conditions could decide this historic Test…
