India’s Relentless Intensity Has Left England Chasing Shadows at Lord’s

Trisha Ghosal, London

The scoreboard tells only part of the story. India need just four more wickets to complete what would be a famous victory at Lord’s. England, meanwhile, begin the fourth morning still needing 327 runs with only four wickets in hand. Yet the numbers alone fail to explain how the visitors have established such complete control over this one-off Test. capturengo.com

More than any technical or tactical battle, this contest has been defined by intensity.

Across all three days, India have looked sharper, more proactive and more willing to dictate the tempo. England, by contrast, have spent long periods responding rather than imposing themselves on the contest. There have been bright spots. Amy Jones has compiled successive half-centuries under pressure, Sophie Ecclestone fought back with a deserved five-wicket haul in India’s second innings, and Lauren Bell consistently challenged the batters with the new ball. But those moments have arrived in isolation rather than forming part of a sustained fightback.

Context matters.

England entered this Test less than a week after a heartbreaking defeat in the T20 World Cup final, a loss that still appears to linger over this group. In that final, Sophie Ecclestone delivered an uncharacteristic wide down the leg side at a crucial stage—a rare mistake from a bowler of her calibre. As the match slipped away, she sat on the field with her head bowed, overcome with emotion.

There was an eerily similar image at Lord’s on Day 3. After completing a hard-earned five-wicket haul in India’s second innings, Ecclestone was once again seen sitting on the turf in the same pose. When India declared and England walked off for tea, she was visibly in tears as teammates came over one by one to embrace her. Speaking after play, Ecclestone admitted she had broken down even while walking onto the field, knowing it would be the final time she would share it with Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont. She described the week as “a whirlwind”, acknowledging just how much the squad had been through in such a short period.

The World Cup final defeat, the retirements of two of England’s modern greats have combined to make this an emotionally draining period. None of that diminishes India’s performance, nor should it be used as an excuse for England’s struggles. It does, however, provide context for why the hosts have often looked a step behind a side that has maintained its intensity from the opening session.

India, meanwhile, have capitalised on every opportunity presented to them.

After gaining the upper hand in the first innings through Kranti Gaud’s maiden five-wicket haul, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side never allowed England back into the contest. Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia resumed positively on Day 3 before Bhatia transformed her overnight score into a memorable century. Even when Ecclestone rediscovered her rhythm to complete a five-for, India continued to score with purpose. Richa Ghosh’s attacking half-century allowed Harmanpreet to declare with a commanding lead of 456, leaving England with an almost impossible task.

Perhaps the clearest illustration of India’s mindset came from Bhatia herself. Reflecting on her innings, she revealed that a hundred had never been her objective. The instruction from the dressing room was straightforward: score quickly enough to leave ample time to take ten wickets. It was an innings shaped entirely by the team’s needs rather than personal milestones.

England’s task on the fourth morning extends beyond survival. They must rediscover an intensity that has deserted them for much of this match. India, meanwhile, stand on the threshold of one of their finest overseas Test victories. Four wickets now separate Harmanpreet Kaur’s side from another defining chapter in the remarkable rise of Indian women’s cricket.

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Indian women’s team pacer Kranti Gaud’s maiden fifer (5-37) on Saturday helped the visitors bundle out England for 170 and secure a commanding 115-run first-innings lead in the ongoing Test at Lord’s.

It also ensured Ghuwara-based Gaud, 22, in only her second Test, became the first woman to have her name etched on the Lord’s Honours Board. All centurions and five-wicket takers have their names etched on the prestigious board.

Rajiv Bilthare

However, Gaud’s childhood coach, Rajiv Bilthare, has revealed that she had considered quitting cricket a couple of years ago. Gaud was just 13 when her father brought her to Sai Sports Academy for coaching in 2017.

“In 2018, Kranti played for the MP U-15 team and thanks to her performances, the MPCA [Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association] gave her a chance in the U-19 team too. However, she struggled from 2022 to 2024 while being part of both, the U-22 and senior women’s teams, as she was not getting a place in the playing XI regularly. She was distraught and returned to home [Ghuwara], and did not come to the academy for 10 days. So, I went to her house to check on her and she said, 'Sir, nothing is going well and I don't want to play.’ She had made up her mind to leave cricket. I convinced her, saying that every player, be it at the state or even international level, has witnessed such phases. I told her sternly that if she is scared then she should not come to the ground, but if she wants to achieve her dreams, I can help her,” Bilthare told mid-day over the phone from Chhatarpur on Sunday.

Bilthare also sought help from MP team coach Bhawna Shrivastava and Chhattisgarh team coach Shweta Mishra to convince Gaud.

“Kranti’s parents, MP team coach Bhawna and Chhattisgarh team coach Shweta also spoke to her and it worked. Kranti worked harder thereafter and made a strong comeback, taking four or five wickets against Bengal in the final to help MP win the Senior Women’s ODI Trophy in December 2024. She has not looked back since,” Bilthare explained.

Brendon McCullum has been dismissed as England's Test coach after four years. He will continue his role with the white-ball teams, as announced by the ECB. This decision follows a difficult period including Ashes humiliation and recent defeats. The aggressive 'Bazball' approach initiated by McCullum and Ben Stokes is now officially over. The ECB aims for an Ashes victory at home next summer with this change.