India seized control of the one-off women's Test at Lord's, leaving England facing a steep challenge to avoid defeat. After being bowled out for 170 in reply to India's first-innings 285, England conceded a lead of 115. India then strengthened their position, reaching 154-1 by stumps on day two for an overall lead of 269.
Smriti Mandhana shone with an unbeaten 69, her second half-century of the match, after adding 88 for the first wicket with Shafali Verma (33). The only breakthrough for England came through Sophie Ecclestone, who dismissed Verma.
Earlier, Kranti Gaud made history by becoming the first woman to earn a place on the Lord's Test honours board, taking 5-37. Her disciplined spell dismantled England's top order after they had resumed on 21-1. Maia Bouchier (23), Alice Capsey (9), and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (44) fell as England crumbled. Amy Jones (52) provided some resistance in an 84-run stand with Sciver-Brunt, but after Jones's dismissal, England lost their last six wickets for 39 runs.
The day's highlight was a world record attendance for a single day at a women's Test: 15,243 fans, surpassing the previous best of 11,918 from the 2025 Women's Ashes in Melbourne.
With two days of good weather forecast, India aim to extend their lead and bat England out of the game. England's bowlers toiled on a flat pitch, with Lauren Bell conceding just 16 runs from 11 wicketless overs. Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia (39*) will resume on day three, putting India in an commanding position.