Young India fast bowler Kranti Gaud scripted history at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground on Saturday (July 11) by becoming the first woman to claim a five-wicket haul in a Test match at the venue.
The 22-year-old pacer produced a brilliant spell in England's first innings, finishing with figures of 5/37 in 17 overs during the historic first-ever women's Test to be played at Lord's.
Gaud gave India the perfect start on the opening day by dismissing Tammy Beaumont for just two runs. She returned on Day 2 to complete her maiden five-wicket haul, removing Maia Bouchier (23) and Alice Capsey (9) in the morning session before striking twice after lunch. Her final two wickets were England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (44) and Lauren Bell (3), helping India gain the upper hand.
With the achievement, Gaud entered an elite list of Indian women bowlers to have taken a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Best Women's bowling record at Lords
| PLAYER | FORMAT | OVERS | RUNS | WICKETS | AGAINST | DATE |
| Kranti Gaud | Test | 17.0 | 37 | 5 | England | July 10-11, 2026 |
| Renuka Thakur | ODIs | 10.0 | 29 | 4 | England | September 24, 2022 |
| Archana Das | ODIs | 9.1 | 61 | 4 | England | July 1, 2012 |
| Jhulan Goswami | ODIs | 10.0 | 23 | 3 | England | July 23, 2017 |
| Niranjana Nagarajan | ODIs | 10.0 | 28 | 3 | England | July 1, 2012 |
The first Indian woman to achieve the milestone was Shubhangi Kulkarni, who picked up 6/99 against Australia in Perth in 1977. Purnima Rau followed with figures of 5/24 against England in 1999, while legendary fast bowler Jhulan Goswami claimed five wickets in both innings of the Taunton Test against England in 2006.
Gaud's performance also set another landmark. She is now the first Indian woman cricketer to take a five-wicket haul in any international match at Lord's.
Before Gaud's memorable spell, the best bowling figures by an Indian woman at Lord's belonged to Renuka Singh Thakur, who returned with 4/29 in an ODI against England in September 2022.