Yastika Bhatia created history at Lord's on Sunday by becoming the first woman cricketer to score a Test century at the iconic venue during India's one-off Test against England. The left-handed batter reached the landmark in style, marking a memorable return to the longest format after missing India's previous two Test matches.
Resuming Day 3 alongside Smriti Mandhana, Yastika negotiated England's disciplined bowling attack with composure to register her maiden Test century in just 145 deliveries. Following Mandhana's dismissal for 70 early in the day, the wicketkeeper-batter anchored India's innings, steadily extending the visitors' lead beyond 350 runs.
Yastika was unbeaten on 91 at lunch as India reached 250, and she required only six deliveries after the interval to complete the milestone. She brought up her century on the final ball of the 68th over when Issy Wong bowled a full delivery outside off stump, which Yastika guided through the covers for a single.
The celebrations reflected the significance of the achievement. Yastika acknowledged the applause by raising both her bat and helmet, while her teammates applauded from the dressing room. She then bowed on the pitch after securing her place on the prestigious Lord's Honours Board.
The innings also placed her in distinguished company. Yastika became only the second Indian left-handed batter, across both men's and women's cricket, to score a Test century at Lord's, following Sourav Ganguly's celebrated 131 on debut at the venue in 1996.
She also became only the second Indian woman cricketer, after Kranti Gaud, to feature on the Lord's Honours Board during the first-ever women's Test match played at the historic ground.
How Yastika built her historic century
Yastika walked to the crease after Sophie Ecclestone dismissed Shafali Verma, who had earlier shared an 88-run opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana.
She reached her half-century in 86 deliveries before accelerating on the third morning with a composed blend of patience and attacking strokeplay.
The 24-year-old looked assured against both pace and spin, using her feet effectively against Sophie Ecclestone and Mady Villiers while capitalising on short deliveries from Lauren Filer. Elegant drives through the off side and confident pull shots ensured India maintained the momentum throughout her innings.
Her final steps towards the three-figure mark were equally composed. Yastika began the post-lunch session by striking successive boundaries off Issy Wong to move to 99. After a few tense dot balls, she calmly pushed another delivery through the covers for a single, completing a memorable century that secured her place in Lord's cricketing history.
