No Virat Kohli, no Sachin Tendulkar: Harmanpreet Kaur becomes first Indian to… | Cricket News
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur achieved a unique milestone 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 landmark with a composed 58 in India’s first innings on Friday, adding another remarkable achievement to her decorated international career. Harmanpreet had previously registered fifty-plus scores in both ODIs and T20Is at the Home of Cricket. Her latest 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 an early wobble. India were reduced to 37 for 2 inside the opening seven overs following the dismissals of Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia. Smriti Mandhana steadied the innings alongside Jemimah Rodrigues, with the pair adding 64 runs for the third wicket. Rodrigues made a brisk 35 from 38 deliveries before falling to Issy Wong. Harmanpreet then joined Mandhana for a vital 89-run partnership that put India in a commanding position. The captain looked fluent throughout her innings, driving confidently through the covers and rotating the strike effectively as England searched for breakthroughs. Mandhana appeared set for a century before edging Wong behind for 83, while Harmanpreet’s well-made 58 ended just before the tea interval when debutant spinner Mady Villiers produced a fine off-break to bowl the India captain. India went to tea on 202 for 5 but failed to capitalise on the platform. England’s bowlers staged a strong comeback, claiming the remaining seven wickets for just 85 runs. Deepti Sharma provided valuable resistance lower down the order with a fighting 57 and shared a 45-run partnership with Sneh Rana, helping India post 285 in their first innings. England made a cautious start in reply and closed the opening day on 21 for 1. Kranti Goud struck early to dismiss Tammy Beaumont for two, while Maya Bouchier remained unbeaten on 17 alongside Heather Knight as the hosts finished the day trailing India by 264 runs.
