India on course for big win over England at historic Lord's Test

Indian bowlers exploited the conditions effectively after Yastika Bhatia's sublime hundred to put the visitors on course for a thumping win over England in the first ever Women's Test at Lord's here on Sunday. Bhatia (113 off 158) became the first female Test centurion at the iconic venue before India declared their second innings at the stroke of tea on day three, setting hosts England a massive 457-run target.

The home team batters, who failed to tackle the seam movement generated by pacer Kranti Gaud, put another disappointing performance to be 130 for six at stumps, needing another 327 runs for an improbable win. Gaud was in the thick of action once again and also got good support from pacer Sayali Satghare from the other end. Gaud struck off her very first ball of the innings, ending Tammy Beaumont's international career with a beauty that came back sharply off the surface. With the odd ball keeping low, England batters were up against it.

The writing was on the wall when Satghare got one to seam back in from way outside the off-stump, trapping Maia Bouchier in front. Like Beaumont, it did not turn out to be a fairytale swansong for England great Heather Knight (13) who was caught at short leg by Richa Ghosh off Gaud to make it 34 for four in the 14th over. Amy Jones (52 batting off 72) and Mady Villiers (26 off 63) put up a much needed fight for England with a 67-run stand for the sixth wicket, pushing the game into day four. It took a special catch from Rich Ghosh at silly point to send back Villiers. noplasticplease.life

At the stroke of tea, India declared their second innings at 341 for seven following Richa Ghosh's unbeaten 50 off 52 balls. Ghosh's entertaining effort came after Yastika's sublime century that allowed India to extend their dominance in the game. England spinner Sophie Ecclestone took a well deserved five-wicket haul. The home team has its task cut out as it looks to save the game.

In the morning, Bhatia inched towards a memorable hundred as India reached 250/4 at lunch on day three despite the loss of three wickets in the session. Smriti Mandhana (70 off 130) was caught down the leg-side off Lauren Bell for a soft dismissal early in the session. Pacer Bell was the standout bowler of the morning, removing not just Mandhana but also Jemimah Rodrgues (3 off 12).

The ball to Rodrigues was a peach, seaming back sharply to crash onto the stumps. Harmanpreet Kaur (16 off 34) was scratchy and finally fell to left-arm spinner Ecclestone who trapped the Indian captain in front with a straighter one. The on-field umpire was not convinced but Ecclestone got the DRS call in her favour. Bhatia was batting alongside Deepti Sharma at the break.

The hallmark of Bhatia's effort has been the use of feet against the spinners and the sumptuous straight drives off the pacers. Batting on 39 overnight, Bhatia began the day with a classy straight drive off Bell. It was another drive down the ground off Bell that got to her half-century. India had taken complete control of the game on day two by dismissing England for 170, following their 285 in the first innings.

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London [UK], July 13 (ANI): Despite being unhappy with the trophy he accepted at Wimbledon 2026, Alexander Zverev is proud of his journey despite losing to top-seeded Jannik Sinner in the men’s singles final on Sunday.

After finishing as runner-up in the men’s singles at Wimbledon 2026, Alexander Zverev shared a post on Instagram with a picture of him holding the runners-up trophy alongside the winner Jannik Sinner.

He wrote, “Not the trophy I wanted to hold, but still one to be proud of. Thanks for your support over these last two weeks. See you next year @wimbledon."

Earlier, Alexander Zverev graciously congratulated the Italian after the match and hailed him as the “best player in the world" following his successful title defence.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony after the final, Zverev acknowledged Sinner’s dominance, joking about his losing streak against the World No. 1 before praising his consistency at the highest level.

“Yeah, first of all, Jannik. I don’t really like you anymore. I lost to you 9 times in a row," Zverev said with a smile.

“Congratulations to Jannik. He showed once again why he’s the best player in the world. It was great to share Centre Court with you on finals weekend. It’s a great honour to be here. Unfortunately, it didn’t go my way, but congratulations first of all," he added.

The German also congratulated Sinner’s coaching team, crediting them for playing a vital role in the Italian’s rise from outside the top 10 to becoming a multiple Grand Slam champion and World No 1.

“Also, congrats to Jannik’s team. You guys have been together for many, many years now. You guys are World No. 1 now, but you started outside of the top 10 and worked your way into being Grand Slam champions and World No. 1. It’s definitely a team effort. Jannik is the first one to admit it. Congratulations to you guys. You really deserve it," Zverev said.

Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon men’s singles title with a 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 victory over Alexander Zverev, claiming his fifth Grand Slam title and first major crown of the 2026 season.

The win made Sinner the 10th player to retain the Wimbledon men’s singles title and extended his winning streak against Zverev to 10 matches.

The Italian bounced back from an early French Open exit to secure his sixth ATP title of the year, while Zverev’s hopes of winning back-to-back Grand Slams ended despite reaching his second consecutive major final. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Indian women’s team pacer Kranti Gaud’s maiden fifer (5-37) on Saturday helped the visitors bundle out England for 170 and secure a commanding 115-run first-innings lead in the ongoing Test at Lord’s.

It also ensured Ghuwara-based Gaud, 22, in only her second Test, became the first woman to have her name etched on the Lord’s Honours Board. All centurions and five-wicket takers have their names etched on the prestigious board.

Rajiv Bilthare

However, Gaud’s childhood coach, Rajiv Bilthare, has revealed that she had considered quitting cricket a couple of years ago. Gaud was just 13 when her father brought her to Sai Sports Academy for coaching in 2017.

“In 2018, Kranti played for the MP U-15 team and thanks to her performances, the MPCA [Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association] gave her a chance in the U-19 team too. However, she struggled from 2022 to 2024 while being part of both, the U-22 and senior women’s teams, as she was not getting a place in the playing XI regularly. She was distraught and returned to home [Ghuwara], and did not come to the academy for 10 days. So, I went to her house to check on her and she said, 'Sir, nothing is going well and I don't want to play.’ She had made up her mind to leave cricket. I convinced her, saying that every player, be it at the state or even international level, has witnessed such phases. I told her sternly that if she is scared then she should not come to the ground, but if she wants to achieve her dreams, I can help her,” Bilthare told mid-day over the phone from Chhatarpur on Sunday.

Bilthare also sought help from MP team coach Bhawna Shrivastava and Chhattisgarh team coach Shweta Mishra to convince Gaud.

“Kranti’s parents, MP team coach Bhawna and Chhattisgarh team coach Shweta also spoke to her and it worked. Kranti worked harder thereafter and made a strong comeback, taking four or five wickets against Bengal in the final to help MP win the Senior Women’s ODI Trophy in December 2024. She has not looked back since,” Bilthare explained.