​The first women’s Test at Lord’s introduced a fresh Indian pace sensation on Saturday as 22-year-old Kranti Gaud delivered a spell for the ages, taking 5 for 37 to dismiss England for 170 and hand India a commanding 115-run lead after the opening innings. Gaud’s speed and accuracy tore through England’s batting line-up, and she etched her name into the annals of the home of cricket with a performance that will be remembered for years. The day began with England at 21 for 1, and they briefly threatened a comeback, helped by a fighting 52 from Amy Jones and 44 from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. The pair stitched a vital partnership following the early wicket of Maia Bouchier, but India never allowed the hosts to seize complete control.
Sneh Rana ended that budding stand just before lunch, removing Jones and sparking another English collapse. Once India spotted an opening, Gaud ramped up the pressure, slicing through the lower order with relentless precision and taking the prized wicket of Sciver-Brunt before completing her maiden Test five-wicket haul with Lauren Bell’s dismissal. Deepti Sharma then wrapped up the innings by trapping Lauren Filer lbw as England folded for 170 in 59.1 overs. India’s bowlers shared the workload effectively, with Sneh Rana pocketing two wickets and Sayali Satghare providing important breakthroughs, but the standout performance of the day belonged to Gaud.
The commanding position India had built on day one was anchored by a strong first-innings effort of 285. Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a fluent 83, setting the tone after Shafali Verma fell early. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the middle order with a patient 58, and Deepti Sharma’s composed 57 ensured India crossed the 280-run mark despite a late wobble. England’s bowlers battled back, with Sophie Ecclestone taking three wickets while Issy Wong and debutant Mady Villiers chipped in to keep India from posting a larger total. Gaud’s dream day came with a string of milestones. At 22 years and 333 days, she became the youngest Indian woman fast bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in Test cricket, surpassing Jhulan Goswami’s record of 22 years and 361 days set against England in Delhi in 2005. Gaud’s five-for also marked the first five-wicket haul by a pace bowler in a women’s Test in England since Ellyse Perry’s 6/32 at Canterbury in 2015. Among Indian women pace bowlers, only Goswami has more Test five-wicket hauls.
England’s 170 in their first innings stands as their third-lowest score in a home Test against India, behind 92 at Wormsley in 2014 and 99 at Taunton in 2006. The match’s strategic balance places India in a strong position to push for a decisive victory, with Gaud’s sensational debut performance providing a highlight reel moment and India’s bowlers collectively laying a foundation for a potential memorable win at Lord’s.