Historic Test Victory at Lord's: A New Era for Indian Women's Cricket

Historic Win Echoes Ganguly's 2002 Celebration

Reema Malhotra, a former cricketer for India Women, praised the remarkable Test victory led by Harmanpreet Kaur against England at Lord's on Monday. She drew a comparison between this win and Sourav Ganguly's famous balcony celebration in 2002, emphasizing that July 13 has now become a significant date in the annals of Indian cricket.

The Indian Women's team achieved a historic 270-run victory over England in their inaugural Women's Test at Lord's, preserving their unbeaten record in Women's Tests on English soil. This win improved their overall record to seven victories, three draws, and one loss in their last 11 Tests. Yastika Bhatia made headlines with her century—the first by a woman at Lord's—while key contributions came from Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma. Debutant Kranti Gaud shone with a five-wicket haul in the first innings, and Deepti added four wickets in the second, leading to England's collapse at 186 while chasing a target of 457, marking a disappointing end for veterans Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont.

'A Very Special Day for Indian Cricket'

In an interview, Reema Malhotra emphasized that July 13 is a landmark day for Indian cricket, paralleling Ganguly's iconic balcony celebration in 2002 with the Women's team's historic win at the same venue in 2026. She expressed that this victory would enhance the team's confidence across all formats and encouraged fans to support the players with patience. Ganguly's balcony celebration followed India's successful chase of England's target in the NatWest Series final, where he famously waved his shirt in response to Andrew Flintoff's earlier antics in Mumbai, creating one of cricket's most memorable moments.

"July 13 is a very special day for Indian cricket. On this day in 2002, Sourav Ganguly celebrated on the balcony of Lord's after defeating England. This team has also made history on July 13, 2026. I believe they will celebrate on that iconic balcony as well, and from here, they won't look back. In two formats, we have consistently proven our superiority, and now we can confidently say, 'hence proved.' I urge fans to love cricket, not worship it. This team deserves time to grow, and their recent Test win will boost their confidence, which is crucial for success in T20s as well," Malhotra stated.

A 'Clinical Performance' by a Combined Team Effort

Malhotra commended the Indian Women's team's all-around performance against England, noting their dominance in all three aspects of the game throughout the Test. She highlighted the effective combination of players and the support given to Yastika Bhatia, whose century was pivotal in securing the victory. She stressed that the historic win was a result of collective effort rather than individual brilliance.

"This team delivered a clinical performance. To win a Test match, you must dominate in all three departments across every session. This was a perfect combination of players, and the support for Yastika Bhatia was crucial. Her technical skills and temperament made a significant difference. Without her century, the scoreboard might not have been as strong, allowing our bowlers to bowl freely. However, it’s important to recognize that this was a team effort," she added.

A Team with a Winning Mentality

Malhotra expressed that the team possesses a winning mentality and has fulfilled the dreams of many. Reflecting on her experience from India's 2006 Test win over England, she noted that the victory at Lord's holds special significance, doubling the joy of the achievement.

"When someone fulfills your dreams, it feels incredible. This team is exceptional. They know how to win. They first brought us the ODI World Cup, and now they have won the first Test match at Lord's, defeating England on their home turf, which is no small feat. I was part of the 2006 Test match in Taunton, and the feeling I had then is the same as today. Achieving something at Lord's brings double the happiness, and I am thrilled today," she remarked.

Praise for Debutant 'Kranti Express'

Malhotra praised Kranti Gaud's five-wicket haul, dubbing her the "Kranti Express" and commending her versatility across formats. She noted Gaud's swing bowling, stamina, and ability to take crucial top-order wickets, stating that having such a bowler is a significant asset in Test cricket.

"I have named her 'Kranti Express.' She is currently India's fastest bowler. If we don't support her, who will? Her performance in red-ball cricket shows she is not just a white-ball player but an all-format player. Her fitness and energy on the field were impressive. Taking top-order wickets, especially those of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Capsey, demonstrates her capability to bowl in any phase. A bowler like her is a privilege for any captain in Test cricket," she said.

Captain-Coach Partnership Credited for Bounce Back

The Indian Women's victory at Lord's follows a disappointing T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where they exited in the group stage. However, Malhotra noted that this win illustrates the team's resilience in bouncing back from setbacks. She credited captain Harmanpreet Kaur and coach Amol Muzumdar for their effective partnership, sound decision-making, and belief in the team.

"When criticism arises after a loss, these girls have shown through their performance that setbacks are temporary. I want to credit Harmanpreet Kaur and Amol Muzumdar for their synchronized efforts. They have faith in each other and the team, which is crucial. The captaincy was proactive, knowing when to bring in pacers or spinners. Harmanpreet's performance with the bat also contributed to the captaincy's success, as runs from her and Smriti's bats made a significant impact," she concluded.

Match Summary

India declared their second innings at 341/7, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 70 and Richa Ghosh remaining not out at 50. In the first innings, Mandhana (83), Harmanpreet Kaur (58), and Deepti Sharma (57) helped India post 285, while debutant pacer Kranti Gaud's five-wicket haul dismissed England for 170. England's chase faltered early, with Tammy Beaumont out for a golden duck and Heather Knight dismissed cheaply. Although Amy Jones and Sophie Ecclestone showed some resistance, the hosts could not challenge India's substantial lead. The victory was marked by Bhatia's historic century, Gaud's maiden five-wicket haul, and a dominant all-round performance, while England's veterans Knight and Beaumont exited on a disappointing note.