ENG-W vs IND-W: Mandhana powers India to 285 before Gaud's late strike rattles England

England women finished Day 1 of the only Test against India on 21/1, trailing by 264 runs in the first innings with Maia Bouchier (17*) and Heather Knight (1*) at the crease. Earlier, India were skittled for 285 in the first innings, with Smriti Mandhana (83) top-scoring, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur (58) and Deepti Sharma (57) also chipped in with half-centuries. 

The day began with England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt winning the toss and inviting India to bat first. Her decision was vindicated by Lauren Filer (2/40), who got Shafali Verma caught behind for a duck (0) in the second over itself.

Her departure brought Yastika Bhatia to the crease, who scored a couple of boundaries to get herself going, while Smriti Mandhana was at her free-flowing best at the other end. Lauren Bell got the second success of the day for England, dismantling Yastika Bhatia’s (12 off 17) stumps.

With India reduced to 37/2, Jemimah Rodrigues joined Smriti Mandhana at the crease, and the duo took the attack on the English bowlers, both batting at a strike rate of over 100. Mandhana brought up her fourth half-century in Tests off 50 balls, adding 64 runs for the third wicket alongside Rodrigues.

Harmanpreet, Mandhana put India in command

Against the run of play, India lost their third wicket as Rodrigues chopped a delivery from Issy Wong (2/41) back onto her stumps. The visitors went into lunch on 122/3 after captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Mandhana at the crease.

The duo stitched a massive 89-run stand for the fourth wicket as the Indian scoreboard began running at a canter in the second session. While Harmanpreet managed to complete her second half-century in Tests, Mandhana missed out on her third hundred, edging Issy Wong to Amy Jones behind the stumps on 83.

India further lost their captain at the stroke of tea with Mady Villiers (2/79) thrashing her stumps to leave India on 202/5. In the third session, Deepti Sharma rode on her luck as England didn’t appeal after she was caught at silly point on 16, and she continued to keep the scoreboard moving. 

Beaumont departs cheaply in farewell match

She completed her fifth half-century in Tests, but ran out of partners as India got bundled out for 285, losing their last four wickets for just 11 runs with Sophie Ecclestone (3/68) cleaning up the tail.

England openers Maia Bouchier and Tammy Beaumont (2) walked out to bat late in the day to survive a tricky period before stumps. However, Kranti Gaud ensured that the hosts didn’t end the day without any casualties, trapping Tammy Beaumont (2 off 7) in front of the stumps in her final Test.

Following her dismissal, Bouchier and Heather Knight saw off the remaining overs as England finished the day on 21/1.