Yastika Bhatia becomes first woman to hit Test century at Lord's

Yastika Bhatia scripted history at Lord’s on Sunday, becoming the first woman cricketer to score a Test century at the iconic venue during India’s one-off match against England. The left-hander reached the landmark in style, capping a superb comeback to the longest format after missing India’s previous two Tests.

Resuming Day 3 alongside Smriti Mandhana, Yastika weathered England’s disciplined attack to register her maiden Test hundred off 145 balls. India tightened their grip on the contest as the left-hander steadily built the innings after Mandhana fell for 70 early in the day. By the time Yastika entered the nineties, the visitors had stretched their lead beyond 350 runs.

The wicketkeeper-batter was batting on 91 at lunch after India moved to 250, but she needed only six balls after the break to get to the milestone. Fittingly, the hundred came on the final ball of the 68th over, with Issy Wong bowling a full delivery outside off that Yastika pushed through the covers for a single.

The celebrations reflected the magnitude of the achievement. Yastika raised her bat and helmet to acknowledge the applause from all corners of the ground, while her teammates stood up in the dressing room to celebrate the innings. She then bowed on the pitch after securing a coveted spot on the Lord’s Honours



Board.

The century also placed her in elite company. Yastika became only the second Indian left-handed batter, across men’s and women’s cricket, to score a Test hundred at Lord’s after Sourav Ganguly’s famous 131 on debut in 1996.

She also became the second women’s cricketer after Kranti Gaud to feature on the Lord’s Honours Board in what is the first women’s Test to be played at the venue.

Yastika came to the crease after Sophie Ecclestone dismissed Shafali Verma, who had shared an 88-run opening stand with Mandhana. She reached her fifty in 86 balls and then shifted gears on the third morning, displaying a fine blend of patience and aggression.

Confident against both pace and spin, the 24-year-old repeatedly used her feet against Sophie Ecclestone and Mady Villiers, while punishing anything short from Lauren Filer. Elegant drives through the off side and crisp pulls helped her maintain the momentum as India tightened their grip on the Test.

The final push towards three figures was equally assured. Yastika began the post-lunch session with successive boundaries off Wong to move to 99 before a few nervy dot balls followed. She eventually pierced the cover region for a single, completing a memorable century that ensured her name would forever be etched in Lord’s folklore.