Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar gave the Indian women’s team a special surprise ahead of the final day of the one-off Test against England at Lord’s, meeting the players and support staff as they stood on the verge of creating history.
Tendulkar meets Team India
Tendulkar walked onto the famous Lord’s outfield before the start of the morning session and spent time with captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates. His interaction came at the ideal moment, with India needing just four wickets to register a memorable Test victory on English soil. The clip of Tendulkar having a chat with Team India went viral on social media in no time; here is the video.
What a moment 🙌
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 13, 2026
Sachin Tendulkar joins the India Women's team on the pitch at Lord's before the final morning session against England 🏏 pic.twitter.com/GpLtYLMUYG
India on verge of historic win
The visitors have dominated the contest from the opening day and are now within touching distance of a famous win after producing an outstanding performance with both bat and ball.
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The foundation was laid by Yastika Bhatia, who played a magnificent knock of 113 from 158 deliveries. In doing so, she became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s. Her innings helped India declare at 341/7 in the second innings shortly before tea on day three, setting England a daunting target of 457.
England’s chase got off to the worst possible start as India’s pace attack made the most of the helpful conditions. Kranti Gaud struck with the very first ball, dismissing Tammy Beaumont with a delivery that jagged back sharply off the surface.
Sayali Satghare then removed Maia Bouchier after trapping her lbw with another ball that moved back into the batter. England found themselves in deeper trouble when Gaud dismissed Heather Knight for 13. Richa Ghosh completed the wicket with a sharp catch at short leg.
Amy Jones offered some resistance with an unbeaten 52, while Mady Villiers contributed 26. The pair added 67 runs for the sixth wicket to delay India’s celebrations. However, Richa Ghosh once again impressed in the field, taking a brilliant catch at silly point to dismiss Villiers.
By the close of play on day three, England were struggling at 130/6. They still needed another 327 runs for victory, while India required only four more wickets to complete a landmark Test triumph.
Earlier in the day, India strengthened their grip on the match despite losing a few wickets in the morning session. Smriti Mandhana made a fluent 70 before edging Lauren Bell down the leg side. Bell also bowled Jemimah Rodrigues for three with a superb delivery that seamed back into the stumps.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 16 before Sophie Ecclestone trapped her lbw. The on-field umpire initially turned down the appeal, but England successfully reviewed the decision.
Bhatia continued to bat with great composure throughout her innings. She handled the spinners confidently by using her feet well and punished the pacers with elegant straight drives. Resuming on 39 overnight, she quickly settled in and brought up a memorable half-century before converting it into a historic hundred.
India added quick runs before declaring, thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Richa Ghosh, who scored 50 off just 52 balls to put the finishing touches on another dominant batting display.
Ecclestone claimed a deserving five-wicket haul, but England were left facing an almost impossible chase after India had already established control by bowling the hosts out for 170 in the first innings in reply to their own total of 285.
With only four wickets separating India from victory, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side will now look to complete one of the biggest wins in the history of Indian women’s Test cricket, having already received an inspiring visit from one of the game’s greatest-ever players.