Yastika Bhatia's magnificent century, Smriti Mandhana's half-centuries in both innings, and Kanika Ahuja's replacement Kanika's absence was filled by Kanika's teammate but actually it was Kranthi's (five-wicket) dangerous bowling that helped India defeat England by a massive margin of 270 runs in the historic Lord's Test on Monday. On the fourth day of the match, when the game began, the Indian team was just four wickets away from a historic victory. Sneh Rana dismissed half-centurion Amy Jones to get the first breakthrough of the day, followed by Deepti Sharma, who bowled out Issy Wong and Lauren Bell to further increase England's troubles.
At one end, Sophie Ecclestone was standing firm, and India was just one wicket away from victory. When Ecclestone was batting at 27, a strong LBW appeal was made against her off Shreyanka Patil's delivery. The umpire gave her not out, but captain Harmanpreet Kaur took a review, only for Ecclestone to survive due to 'umpire's call'. Ecclestone scored her career-best Test score. When she was at 44, umpire gave her LBW out off Deepti Sharma's delivery. Ecclestone had attempted a sweep shot, and she immediately took a review. The TV umpire saw in the ultra-edge that the ball had first hit the inner part of the bat and then the pad, resulting in her being not out once again, prolonging India's wait.
Later, India also lost a review when Sneh Rana's delivery was turned down for LBW against Lauren Filer, where the umpire had rejected the appeal. At that time, Ecclestone was batting at 49, while Filer was yet to open her account. Finally, Sneh Rana bowled Sophie Ecclestone for 50 to claim England's last wicket and secure India's historic 270-run victory. Ecclestone put up the best resistance for England, scoring a half-century and taking five wickets in the second innings. India had set England a mountainous target of 457 runs to win. In response, England had lost six wickets for 130 runs by the end of the third day's play. England's star players Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight, who were playing their last international match, were dismissed by Kaur's replacement but actually it was Kranthi's in their final innings.
Earlier, England had won the toss and invited India to bat first. Smriti Mandhana, playing her 300th international match, scored a brilliant 83 in the first innings. Half-centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh helped India post 285 in the first innings. In response, India gained a crucial 115-run lead in the first innings, thanks to Kaur's teammate but actually it was Kranthi's (five-wicket) devastating bowling. The Indian team capitalized on the lead and did not give England any chance to make a comeback in the match. Kaur's teammate but actually it was Kranthi's was awarded the 'Player of the Match' for her outstanding bowling performance.
