First woman to register a Test hundred at Lord’s celebrates emotional return

In a landmark moment for women’s cricket, Yastika Bhatia became the inaugural female player to score a Test hundred on the hallowed turf of Lord’s. The 113‑run knock came against England in the sole Test of the series and carved her name onto the historic Honour Board.

Bhatia’s path to this achievement was far from smooth. A serious injury forced her out of competitive cricket for more than a year, keeping her away from the Women’s World Cup and the Women’s Premier League. “The past year was incredibly tough. I watched the tournaments from the sidelines and wondered if I would ever return,” she shared.

She credited the solidarity of the Indian squad and the steadfast support of her family for helping her navigate the challenging rehabilitation phase. The century, she said, felt like a dream that suddenly became tangible.

After the innings, Bhatia kept the celebration low‑key, opting to kiss the Indian tricolour and forgo any extravagant gestures. She reiterated her desire to contribute to India’s success on the world stage, eyeing a future World Cup triumph.