New Delhi, July 15: Indian women’s cricket team veteran off-spinner Sneha Rana considers the historic 270-run Test victory against England at Lord’s not just a significant achievement, but a moment that will be etched in the annals of Indian cricket history. Sneha believes the team approached this match not merely to win, but with the mindset of making history, which became their greatest strength.
In an interview, Sneha shared that as soon as the team learned that Lord’s would host its first women’s Test match, the dream of creating history began to take shape in the players’ minds. She stated, “Our thought was that if we won here, India’s name would be permanently recorded in history. This idea kept us motivated throughout.”
According to Sneha, wearing the white jersey for the first time on the prestigious Lord’s ground and singing the national anthem from the Long Room to the field was one of the most emotional moments of her career. She remarked that singing the anthem while facing the famous Lord’s balcony is a proud moment for any cricketer. However, an even bigger moment came when India secured its first women’s Test victory by defeating England on the fourth day. She noted that this win will always be recorded in the history books.
The inspiring words of head coach Amol Majumdar also played a crucial role in this historic success. Sneha recounted that before the match, the coach told the players that this was not just a Test match but an opportunity to write history. He reminded them that very few cricketers’ names are inscribed on the Lord’s Honours Board, and this was a chance to make it immortal. His words infused a unique enthusiasm into the entire team.
Recalling the decisive moments of the match, Sneha mentioned that the team had long been waiting to take England’s final wicket. When they finally dismissed Sophie Ecclestone to secure India’s historic victory, that moment became one of the most memorable in her career. With four wickets in the second innings, she played a vital role in the win, stating that performing for the country brings immense joy to any player.
Sneha also praised young fast bowler Kranti Gaud, noting that today’s youth are confident and adept at understanding match situations. Kranti made history by taking five wickets in her debut Test at Lord’s. Sneha also mentioned a catch that she initially missed, but Shafali Verma made a spectacular dive to complete it, ensuring Kranti’s fifth wicket. According to her, this moment will always be memorable for all three players.
Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia’s historic century also moved the entire team. Sneha explained that Yastika faced significant challenges due to an ACL injury before last year’s ODI World Cup. She emphasized that Yastika worked tirelessly to return and transformed her struggle into a remarkable achievement by scoring a century at such a prestigious venue. When her name was inscribed on the Honours Board, the entire dressing room became emotional. Sneha believes that the joy of a player’s success after overcoming struggles is unparalleled.
She expressed pride that two Indian players—Kranti Gaud and Yastika Bhatia—will forever be remembered on the Honours Board for the first women’s Test played at Lord’s. This achievement will inspire future generations.
The joy of this historic victory was further amplified when legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar visited the team at Lord’s on the fourth day. Sneha mentioned that his presence was a significant honor for the entire team. Sachin told the players he came to be part of this historic moment in women’s cricket and to uplift the team’s spirits. He imparted a simple message: “Always stay hungry and humble.”
Sneha Rana believes this mindset will continue to elevate Indian women’s cricket. The historic win at Lord’s is not just a success in a match; it marks the beginning of a new era for Indian women’s cricket, proving that this team has the potential to make history on the world’s biggest stage.
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