Kranti Gaud Makes History as First Woman to Etch Name on Lord's Honours Board India fast bowler Kranti Gaud made history by becoming the first woman to have her name inscribed on the Lord's Honours Board after delivering a five-wicket haul in the one-off Test against England. The 22-year-old pacer’s stellar performance, which included figures of 5/37, played a pivotal role in India’s commanding 115-run first-innings lead. Her efforts continued into the second day, as India extended their advantage to 269 by stumps, reaching 154/1 with Smriti Mandhana unbeaten on 69. Gaud’s achievement marked a significant milestone for women’s cricket, as she expressed immense pride in being the first woman to achieve this honor. Gaud’s five-wicket haul in the Test followed her previous record of taking six wickets in an ODI against England last year. Speaking after the day’s play, she described the moment as a culmination of her lifelong dreams. “Every player dreams of taking a five-wicket haul. It’s the first time we are playing at Lord’s, so I was thinking if I can take five wickets and get my name on the board and also take wickets for the team and help it win,” she said. The victory at Lord’s, a historic venue for cricket, added to the significance of her performance, as she emphasized the pride it brought to her family. The match’s turning point came when Shafali Verma’s extraordinary fielding secured a crucial dismissal. Verma’s one-handed catch to dismiss Lauren Bell, a fullish delivery that Sneh Rana parried at second slip, showcased exceptional reflexes. Gaud highlighted the importance of her teammates’ efforts, noting that Rana’s attempt to hold the catch allowed Verma to make the stunning grab. “Whatever happens, happens for the good. I had this feeling today that I would take five wickets.#shafali_verma #kranti_gaud #nat_sciver_brunt #lord_s #sneh_rana
India Debuts Anushka Sharma, Kranti Gaud as South Africa Opt to Bowl First in T20I Clash Durban, April 19 — India’s cricket team made a strategic move by introducing batting all-rounder Anushka Sharma and all-rounder Kranti Gaud into their playing XI for the second T20I against South Africa at Kingsmead. South Africa, leading the five-match series 1-0 after a commanding six-wicket victory in the opener, opted to bowl first, a decision that aligns with their tactical approach to the match. The match marked a significant milestone for opener Shafali Verma, who reached her 100th T20I appearance. Verma, the youngest debutant for India in the shortest format, now holds the third youngest record globally across men’s and women’s cricket for achieving this feat. Her continued presence in the team underscores her importance to India’s T20I strategy. India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, confirmed that Anushka and Kranti replaced Renuka Singh Thakur and Kashvee Gautam, who were rested for the game. Anushka’s inclusion was notable, given her standout performance in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) this year. She scored 177 runs in seven matches at an average of 25.28 and a strike rate of 129.19 for Gujarat Giants. Her form continued in the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, where she contributed 116 runs in five innings at an average of 23.2 and a strike rate of 104.50, helping India A secure the title in Bangkok. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt emphasized the team’s focus on refining their bowling plans and capitalizing on the pitch conditions. “The wicket should be a little slower overall. Nice to know what to chase later on.#laura_wolvaardt #harmanpreet_kaur #anushka_sharma #shafali_verma #kranti_gaud
