India’s Yastika Bhatia described her first Test century at Lord’s as a surreal experience, following a challenging period of injury setbacks. Her unbeaten 113 not only earned her a place on the Lord’s honours board but also marked her as the first woman to achieve a Test century at the iconic venue, contributing significantly to India’s dominance in the match.
Reflecting on her journey back to the game after a year of rehabilitation, which caused her to miss crucial events like the home ODI World Cup build-up and the Women’s Premier League, Bhatia expressed gratitude for the support that helped her through the tough times. She admitted that achieving such a milestone seemed like a distant dream during her recovery phase.
Bhatia’s century held deep personal significance beyond the cricketing records, symbolizing a moment of redemption and national pride. She shared that the emotions of the milestone overwhelmed her, leading to a simpler celebration than planned, including kissing the flag in pride and reflecting on her family’s unwavering support during her challenging period.
Partnering with senior player Smriti Mandhana in a memorable innings, Bhatia expressed her admiration for Mandhana’s batting prowess, which had inspired her since her early cricketing days. She highlighted the impact of Mandhana’s style on her own aspirations, emphasizing the inspiration she draws from the senior player’s performances.
