​India Women are set to face England on Friday at Lord’s, London, in a historic clash that will also mark Lord’s first-ever women’s Test since hosting men’s Tests for 142 years. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India arrive at the iconic venue after suffering a 10-wicket defeat to Australia in Perth, continuing a worrying trend of inconsistent overseas form against top opposition. The visitors will be eager to rebound and seize the moment of history, delivering disciplined performances in both batting and bowling to silence doubters and set a positive tone for the series.
Key batting hopes for India rest on Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, while Shafali Verma is expected to provide an aggressive and solid start at the top of the order. Sayali Satghare could prove pivotal with the ball, adding depth to India’s bowling attack as they attempt to disrupt England’s rhythm on the Lord’s surface. India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur will also be central to the side’s plans, guiding the innings and contributing with crucial leadership as the team navigates its first Test at Lord’s.
England, in contrast, head into the match in strong form, having enjoyed a robust campaign at the T20 World Cup where they finished as runners-up and demonstrated their strength at home. The hosts possess a well-rounded side led by Heather Knight, with Nat Sciver-Brunt stepping up as captain in key moments. England’s depth and domestic structure have kept them as a formidable force at home, and they will be determined to maintain momentum in this historic Test.
England’s probable XI features Tammy Beaumont and Sophia Dunkley at the top, with Knight orchestrating proceedings from the middle order alongside Nat Sciver-Brunt (C). The lineup also includes Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (Wicketkeeper), and a strong bowling unit led by Sophie Ecclestone, complemented by pace and seam options in Charlie Dean, Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, and Kate Cross. India’s predicted XI includes Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Shuchi Upadhyay, reflecting a balanced blend of experience and youth.
The toss is scheduled for 3:00 pm IST, with the match set to begin at 3:30 pm IST on July 10. The fixture will be staged at Lord’s, London, promising a prestigious start to the women’s Test format at this historic ground. The opening session is expected to favor the bowlers with a fresh new ball, while batting should ease as the day progresses. Spinners and reverse swing could become crucial as the game unfolds, particularly in the later stages of the Test. A first-innings total in the region of 325 to 375 would constitute a strong foundation for either side.
Weather conditions on the opening day look favorable for cricket, with hot, predominantly dry conditions and plenty of sunshine. Temperatures may rise to around 31°C, and while rain looks unlikely, players will need to stay hydrated and adapt to the heat as the day advances. These warm conditions should generally help batsmen as the sun bakes the pitch, though early-phase assistance to bowlers with the new ball could produce a lively start for the pace attack.
This one-off India vs England Women’s Test will be streamed live on the Sony LIV app and website, with live TV coverage available on the Sony Sports Network in India. Fans and neutrals alike can expect a captivating contest at Lord’s as two strong sides Tackle the unique challenge of Test cricket in a historic match that carries the weight of decades of tradition and the excitement of new chapters for women’s cricket.