Cricket
Harmanpreet-led India set for historic Lord's debut – Preview
All you need to know about the one-off Test between India and England at Lord's Cricket Ground.
142 years after the first ever men's Test match cricket was played at the iconic Lord's Stadium, the first women's Test at the venue is slated to be held between India and England, starting Friday.
Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the Indian women's team in the historic match at the home of cricket, which had its doors closed for women's Test matches until now.
Why was women's Test never held at Lord's?
Before this match, Lord's had never hosted a Women's Test because of the long standing traditions of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which remained a men only institution for more than two centuries.
Women were allowed to become MCC members only in 1998, while female spectators were allowed inside the Pavilion during play from 1999.
England great Rachael Heyhoe Flint also campaigned for years before Lord's hosted its first women's international match, an ODI against Australia in 1976.
Nearly 50 years later, Lord's is now set to host its first ever women's Test, marking another landmark moment for women's cricket. It will also become the 20th ground in England to stage a women's Test.
India's squad
India will play the test with a squad similar to the one that featured at the Women's T20 World Cup, with a few additions.
India's squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandini Sharma, Harleen Deol, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana and Priya Punia
India's record against England in women's tests
India heads into the Lord's test with a strong record against England in the longest format. The two teams have played 15 tests, with India winning 2, England winning 1 and 12 matches ending in draws. India have not lost a women's test to England since 1995.
India have also enjoyed success in England, remaining unbeaten in 9 Tests on English soil with 2 wins and 7 draws.
India's only Test match this year came against Australia in a pink ball match at the WACA in March, where they suffered a 10-wicket defeat.
It was their first Test match loss in 10 matches since 2006.
One of India's memorable performances against England came in 2021 when the match ended in a draw in England Soil . Sneh Rana starred with both bat and ball, scoring an unbeaten 80 in the second innings after making an important contribution with the ball in the first innings .
Deepti Sharma also played a key role with the ball by taking 3 wickets, while Shafali Verma scored 96 and 63 across the two innings. Smriti Mandhana added 78 runs in the first innings.
The last Test between the two teams was played in Navi Mumbai in 2023, where India registered a massive 347 run victory.
India scored 428 in the first innings before bowling England out for 136. They then declared on 186/6 in the second innings before dismissing England for 131.
Shubha Satheesh was the top scorer with 69 runs, while Jemimah Rodrigues and Shubha added a crucial 116 run partnership. Deepti Sharma was the standout performer with the ball, finishing the match with nine wickets.
What to expect from India?
India will be hoping to bounce back after a disappointing end to its Women's T20 World Cup campaign.
The team will take have huge expectations from players such as Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and Sneh Rana, who have all enjoyed success against England previously.
Competition for the batting line up will remain strong, with Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia and Harleen Deol all in contention.
While, Priya Punia who has returned to the squad after Pratika Rawal was ruled out with a knee injury will also be an strong option for the line up.
In the bowling department, India will have to choose its pace attack carefully. The conditions at Lord's could suit the seamers, as the ground's famous slope often helps swing and seam bowlers.
Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare could benefit from the extra bounce and movement, while Renuka Thakur's ability to swing the new ball could prove important. India will also rely on the experience of spin-bowling all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana.
Where to watch?
The test match will be streamed live on Sony LIV, while television coverage will be available on the Sony Sports Network channels.