Yastika Bhatia had never scored an international hundred. She chose the best possible place, or occasion, for that.
Her maiden hundred came even sweeter as it helped India score a massive win in the first-ever Women’s Test at Lord’s. Her 113 off 158 balls was one of the best you would get to see in Test match cricket. She defended stoutly when it was required, and she unleashed some pleasing shots, all around the park, whenever she got the opportunity.
And this innings, which made her the first woman to make it to the famous Lord’s Test honours board, came after she went through some terrible time because of an ACL injury that kept her out of the ODI World Cup at home, and more. “It is unbelievable because six months ago I was in a very different place and if you would have told me that I would have my name on the honours board I wouldn’t have believed it,” she said. “But it is all small steps to that place and I have worked really hard and my family’s support was there since my beginning so all of that really paid off today. It is a really great feeling.”
Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings. | Photo Credit: AFP
She said she wasn’t thinking of a hundred when she came out to resume her innings on the third day. “Our aim was to post a big total at a good scoring rate so that we had enough time to take ten wickets,” she said.
She revealed a chat with her fellow stylish left-handed batter Smriti Mandhana helped a great deal. “I had a conversation with her and she just looked at me and she said that this is going to be a turning point in your career,” Yastika said. “She said that because of the injuries or setbacks that she also faced.”
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Published on Jul 13, 2026