Deepti Sharma praised India’s top order after her fifty helped the visitors post 285 and take control on Day 1 of the women’s Test at Lord’s.
Deepti Sharma hails India's top order after gritty fifty puts visitors in control at Lord's (Credit: ICC)
India all-rounder Deepti Sharma praised the team’s top-order batters after her composed half-century helped the visitors seize control on the opening day of the historic first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s on Friday.
Smriti Mandhana led the charge with an 83, while Harmanpreet Kaur struck a fluent 58 before Deepti’s fighting 57 guided India through a brief middle-order wobble to a 285. The visitors then made an early breakthrough with the ball as Kranti Gaud dismissed Tammy Beaumont for 11, reducing England to 21/1 at stumps.
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Reflecting on her crucial partnership, Deepti credited the batters above her for setting up India’s strong position.
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“It feels good that I was able to build that partnership at a crucial time. All credit goes to our top-order batters who gave us a good start. Jemi, Harry di (Harmanpreet) and Smriti built the innings really well,” Deepti was quoted as saying by the ICC.
The left-arm all-rounder said the Lord’s surface had already begun to show signs of variable bounce and turn, making batting increasingly challenging.
“The wicket is slightly turning and sometimes keeping low. The wicket is not the same. We have to be prepared because the ball can bounce at times and also stay low. Tomorrow (Day 2) will be a very important day for us,” she said.
Deepti also lauded Mandhana for anchoring the innings after India lost wickets at key moments.
“I think she batted really well. Sometimes that happens; a few players get out early and someone has to take responsibility. I think she showed her character today. From there, she built her innings beautifully,” Deepti said.
With the pitch expected to assist the bowlers further on Day 2, Deepti believes India must continue to bowl disciplined spells.
“We will focus on our bowling strengths. Today’s wicket was offering a bit of turn and sometimes the ball was bouncing. It will help us tomorrow, but we have to keep hitting the right areas and bowl consistently,” she added.
Deepti described the occasion as a landmark moment for women’s cricket and reflected on the sport’s rapid growth in recent years.
“Tests are always special. It is an amazing feeling to play cricket. Women’s cricket has grown a lot in the last four or five years. People are recognising the players now, and that is a big thing. As a team, we have built a great spirit and we want to continue that for the next generation,” she said.
England will resume Day 2 on 21/1, still trailing India’s first-innings total by 329 runs.
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