Harmanpreet Kaur from India (Getty Images)
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur achieved a unique feat on the opening day of the one-off women’s Test against England at Lord’s, becoming the first Indian cricketer, men’s or women’s, to score a half-century in all three international formats at the iconic venue. The 37-year-old reached the milestone by scoring 58 runs in India’s first innings on Friday, adding another remarkable feat to her decorated international career.
Harmanpreet has previously scored fifty-plus scores in both ODIs and T20Is at the Home of Cricket. Her final knock completed the set, making her the first Indian to score fifties in Tests, ODIs and T20Is at Lord’s. The Indian skipper played a crucial role in rebuilding the innings after early wobbliness.
India were reduced to 37 for 2 in the first seven overs after the dismissal of Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia. Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings alongside Jemimah Rodrigues, with the pair adding 64 runs for the third wicket. Rodriguez made 35 quick deliveries from 38 deliveries before falling to Essie Wong. Harmanpreet then joined forces with Mandhana in a vital 89-year partnership that put India in a leadership position. The captain looked fluent throughout the innings, driving confidently through the covers and rotating the bat effectively as England searched for breakthroughs.
Mandhana looked set for a century before he edged Wong with 83, while Harmanpreet finished with a well-made 58 just before tea break when debutant Mady Villiers bowled a brilliant break to bowl the India captain over. India went to tea at 202 for 5 but failed to capitalize on the stand. England’s bowlers made a strong comeback, taking the remaining seven wickets for just 85 runs. Deepti Sharma provided valuable resistance at the bottom of the order with a battling 57 and shared a 45-run partnership with Sneh Rana, helping India to 285 in their first innings. England made a cautious start in response and closed the opening day on 21 for 1. Kranti Goud struck early to dismiss Tammy Beaumont for two, while Maya Boshier remained unbeaten on 17 alongside Heather Knight as the hosts finished the day trailing India by 264 runs.