‘Lord’s success strengthens case for more women’s red-ball cricket’

India’s emphatic 270-run victory over England in the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s in London has strengthened the case for expanding red-ball cricket in the women’s game, former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy said, urging the BCCI to revive longer-format domestic competitions across age groups.

The Indian women’s team produced one of the finest victories in its history as Yastika Bhatia struck a memorable century at the ‘home of cricket’, while Kranti Gaud claimed a five-wicket haul to enter the Lord’s honours board. Off-spinner Sneh Rana then sealed the win with four wickets in the second innings.  “I think this is the best thing that could have happened for Indian women’s cricket. Playing at Lord’s for the first time ever, in their first Test there, and India wins,” Rangaswamy told PTI in an interview. “India, in fact, demolishes England by a huge margin of 270 runs and two of them make it to the honours board.