England face a likely defeat in the one-off women's Test against India at Lord's after a difficult second day left them trailing badly. Resuming on 21-1 in reply to India's first innings of 285, England were bowled out for 170, before India reached 154-1 in their second innings to establish a commanding lead of 269, with two days of good weather still to come. The result puts India firmly in control and highlighted England's struggles to bat for long periods on a flat, hot-weather surface.

The day was defined by two standout performances. India's 22-year-old Kranti Gaud took 5-37 to become the first woman to appear on the Lord's Test honours board, working through England's top order and dismissing captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (44) among others, as England collapsed from a fifth-wicket stand of 84 to lose their last six wickets for just 39 runs; Amy Jones top-scored with 52. In India's reply, Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 69 after an 88-run opening stand with Shafali Verma (33), the latter falling to Sophie Ecclestone. A notable positive for the hosts was a world-record single-day attendance for a women's Test of 15,243, beating the previous best of 11,918 set at Melbourne during the 2025 Women's Ashes.