India wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s, achieving the historic milestone against England. Her unbeaten hundred, remarkable comeback from an ACL injury, and place on the Lord’s Honours Board marked a memorable cricketing achievement.
India wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia etched her name into cricket history by becoming the first woman to score a Test century at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground during the ongoing one-off Test match against England. The remarkable feat came on the third day of the contest, making Bhatia the latest Indian cricketer to secure a coveted place on the prestigious Lord’s Honours Board.
The landmark innings marked Yastika’s maiden century in international Test cricket and was a fitting reward for her resilience, determination and elegant stroke-play. The left-handed batter reached the three-figure mark in just 145 deliveries, striking 12 boundaries in a composed and confident knock that frustrated the England bowling attack throughout the day.
Resuming after the lunch break on 91, Yastika displayed remarkable composure and showed no signs of pressure associated with the nervous nineties. She immediately took control of the innings by smashing England pacer Issy Wong for consecutive boundaries through the backward point region before calmly taking a single to cover to complete her historic century. The milestone ensured that her name would forever be inscribed on the famous Lord’s Honours Board.
Earlier in the day, fortune briefly smiled on the Indian batter when Lauren Bell’s opening delivery clipped her off-stump without dislodging the bails. The lucky escape proved crucial as Yastika capitalised on the opportunity with disciplined shot selection, finding regular boundaries through the cover and straight regions while maintaining complete control over her innings.
The century carried even greater significance considering Yastika’s inspiring comeback journey. The Baroda-born cricketer had battled back from a serious Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury that threatened to derail her career. Her return to international cricket during India’s tour of England has now culminated in one of the most memorable achievements in women’s cricket history.
As she reached the milestone, an emotional Yastika dropped to her knees and kissed the turf at the ‘Home of Cricket’ while the spectators rose to applaud her magnificent effort with a standing ovation. The unforgettable celebration reflected the significance of the achievement for both the player and Indian women’s cricket.
Yastika also joined teammate Kranti Gaud on the Lord’s Honours Board during the same Test match. Kranti had already earned her place after producing a brilliant five-wicket haul on the second day, making it a memorable outing for the Indian side at the historic venue.
Former Australia cricketer and commentator Mel Jones praised the remarkable innings during the live broadcast, saying, “The fist goes up in the air as Bhatia, from Baroda to Lord’s, can soak in this monumental occasion. A century at Lord’s, on to the honours board and a moment she will never, ever forget.”
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Yastika Bhatia’s historic century is expected to inspire a new generation of women cricketers across India while reinforcing the growing strength and competitiveness of the women’s game on the international stage. Her remarkable achievement at Lord’s will remain one of the defining moments in Indian women’s Test cricket, symbolising perseverance, determination and excellence at one of the sport’s most revered venues.
