ENG-W vs IND-W: Kranti Gaud's historic five-for puts India firmly in control on Day 2

India women tightened their grip in the one-off Test match against England women, finishing Day 2 in a commanding position of 154/1, leading by 269 runs. Earlier, they skittled England for 170 in their first innings, courtesy of a magnificent five-wicket haul (5/37) from Kranti Gaud, who got her name on the prestigious Lord’s honours board.

England resumed their innings on day 2 on 21/1 with Maia Bouchier (17*) and Heather Knight (1*) at the crease. The duo couldn’t survive for long as Gaud made Bouchier (23) edge to Yastika Bhatia behind the stumps. Three balls later, Sayali Satghare (2/40) got Heather Knight (6 off 25) lbw, leaving England on 32/3.

Alice Capsey (9 off 13) came out playing some shots but had no answer to a peach of a delivery from Gaud, who managed to get the ball to shape away from her after pitching as it crashed into the off-stump, leaving England reeling on 47/4. 

Amy Jones, Sciver-Brunt rescue England

With the hosts in desperate need of a partnership, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (44 off 85) and Amy Jones (52 off 62) got involved in an 84-run stand for the fifth wicket, helping England cross the 130-run mark. Jones brought up her second half-century in Tests off just 59 balls to keep the scoreboard moving.

However, she was dismissed shortly after, with Sneh Rana (2/41) getting the big scalp before lunch, getting her caught by Richa Ghosh at short leg. England went into lunch on 137/5 with the onus of taking her team’s total closer to India’s score on captain Sciver-Brunt’s shoulders.

Gaud picks up maiden Test five-for

In the second session, Kranti Gaud sent the England skipper back on her way to the pavilion, trapping her in front of the stumps. She later completed her maiden five-wicket haul by getting rid of Lauren Bell (3 off 13). Gaud became the youngest Indian woman pacer (22 years 333 days) to pick a five-wicket haul in Tests.

Following her spell, England were skittled for just 170 in their first innings, handing India a big lead of 115 runs. In the second innings, the visitors got off to a marvellous start with Smriti Mandhana (69* off 124) and Shafali Verma (33 off 55) adding 88 runs for the first wicket to pile on the misery on the hosts. 

While Shafali was dismissed on 33, Mandhana brought up her fifth Test half-century and her second in the match. She remained unbeaten on 69 alongside Yastika Bhatia (39* off 73) as India finished the day in a commanding position.