India takes commanding lead over England in historic women's Test at Lord's

In a historic showdown on July 11, 2026, India has taken a commanding position against England in the one-off women's Test at Lord's. After bowling England out for 170, India finished day two at 154-1, leading by 269 runs, with Smriti Mandhana remaining unbeaten on 69.

India's Dominance on Day Two

Resuming their innings at 21-1, England faced a daunting challenge as they were dismissed for just 170 runs. Kranti Gaud made history by becoming the first woman to feature on the Lord's Test honours board with her impressive bowling figures of 5-37. England's struggle against Gaud's disciplined bowling was evident as they lost their wickets rapidly.

Mandhana, who scored 83 in the first innings, continued her fine form, adding a crucial 88 runs for the first wicket alongside Shafali Verma, who contributed 33 runs before falling to Sophie Ecclestone. England's only notable resistance came from Amy Jones and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who combined for an 84-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Record Attendance Highlights Women's Cricket

Despite England's challenges on the field, the match witnessed a historic milestone with a world record attendance of 15,243 spectators for a single day of women's Test cricket. This figure surpassed the previous record of 11,918 set during the Women's Ashes in Melbourne in 2025.

As India looks to capitalize on their lead, the atmosphere at Lord's has been electric, showcasing the growing popularity of women's cricket. The impressive turnout reflects a significant shift in audience engagement and support for women's sports.

Bowling Challenges Ahead for England

England's bowlers faced a tough challenge on day two, with minimal rest from their first innings. Their inability to take wickets put them under pressure, allowing India's batters to play freely. Issy Wong and Lauren Bell worked hard but struggled to contain the scoring.

As play resumes on day three, England will hope for a better performance from their bowlers, who need to exploit any assistance from the pitch. With India firmly in control, the hosts face an uphill battle to avoid defeat in this historic Test.