Yastika Bhatia moved to 91 not out as India reached 250-4 on the stroke of lunch on day three of the women’s Test at Lord’s, with Deepti Sharma unbeaten on 10. It was another controlled session for India, and another one that made the match look increasingly one-sided.
At the break, India’s lead had grown again as Bhatia continued to bat with calm assurance. The scoreboard told the story clearly enough: India were 233-4 when she was on 77, 235-4 when she had 78, then 240-4 with her on 83, 241-4 with her on 84 and 243-4 with her on 86 before lunch arrived with India on 250-4. That steady progress left England with very little reward from a long morning in the field.
Bhatia closes in on the honour’s board
The line from the live commentary captured the mood neatly: Bhatia was “batting beautifully and closing in on a place on that honour’s board.” She also had the bit of urgency that often comes as lunch approaches, with the update noting she was “having a bit of a hurry up as we approach lunch. There’s plenty of time Bhats no rush!”
That is the key point for India. They did not need to force the issue, because the innings had already taken firm control of the Test. Bhatia’s unbeaten 91 gave the platform shape and substance, while Deepti Sharma provided the support at the other end after arriving with India already in command.
England left searching for a breakthrough
For England, the problem is not only the runs on the board but the way India have continued to build through the session. The 61st over brought India to 233-4, the 62nd to 235-4, the 63rd to 240-4, the 64th to 241-4, the 65th to 243-4 and the 66th to 247-4 before the lunch interval confirmed the surge to 250-4. That sequence shows how little momentum England were able to regain once India settled.
The morning belonged to Bhatia, who kept the innings moving with precision and patience. India have the advantage, the lead keeps growing, and the next phase of the match now asks the same question of England again: where do the wickets come from?
