India’s Lord’s Triumph Highlights Trailblazing Women Cricketers

The 37‑year‑old featured in her eighth Test after a 17‑year international career, illustrating the limited opportunities historically available to women in the longest format of the sport.

In a pre‑match press conference, she mused on the significance of still being part of the occasion, saying, “Perhaps it’s a little late, but not too late — I’m playing and grateful for this chance to be part of something historic.”

Other historic milestones accompanied the match. Indian women were among the first to be inscribed on Lord’s prestigious Honours Boards.

On Saturday, 22‑year‑old seamer Kranti Gaud made history as the inaugural woman to appear on the bowling board, capturing five wickets for 37 runs in England’s first innings. Hailing from Ghuwara, a modest town in central India, Gaud’s mother once pawned her jewelry to finance one of her earliest cricket kits.

The following day, Yastika Bhatia, a left‑handed batter from Vadodara, another small western Indian town, achieved a milestone of her own. Her confident 113 — the first international century of her career — made her the first woman to register a Test century at Lord’s, earning her a spot on the batting board.

In her historic moment, Bhatia paid tribute to those who paved the way.

“I believe the pioneers of women’s cricket in India have made an immeasurable contribution, especially given that Test cricket has been played for roughly 50 years,” Yastika remarked during the post‑play press conference.

Their impact has inspired us to pursue cricket and to perform at the level we see today, establishing a vital foundation,” she added.

She further noted that the pioneers of women’s cricket in India have not received the acknowledgment they merit.

Consequently, she urged the cricketing world to pause and thank these trailblazers for their contributions to Indian and global cricket, and for inspiring countless young players,” Bhatia said.

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