India’s batting crumbled in a dramatic final session, as they were bowled out for 285 in 74.5 overs on the opening day of their one-off Test match against England at Lord’s. Initially strong at 190/3, India lost their last seven wickets for just 95 runs, falling 15 runs short of the 300-run mark.
England’s spinners, Sophie Ecclestone and debutant Mady Villiers, played pivotal roles in India’s collapse by taking five crucial wickets. Sophie’s 3-68 also made her England’s leading wicket-taker across all formats, surpassing Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s record.
After tea, India, starting at 202/5, faced early setbacks, with Richa Ghosh falling for 13 to a short delivery from Lauren Filer. Deepti Sharma’s resilient 57 off 87 balls, including a well-crafted half-century, was a lone bright spot in India’s innings, lacking support from the lower order.
Mady and Sophie continued to dominate, with Mady dismissing Sneh Rana and Sophie cleaning up the tail efficiently. Sophie’s final wicket of Kranti Gaud sealed India’s innings at 285, earning her accolades as England’s leading wicket-taker.
Despite three Indian batters scoring half-centuries, including Smriti Mandhana’s 83, the lower-order collapse has put England in a strong position to finish the opening day on a high note with the bat.
