India Women are in the driver's seat to win the only Test against England Women, and in a comprehensive manner at that, as they have a massive 478-run lead in the 2nd innings at the close of play on Day 2.
Having been completely outclassed and overpowered on Day 1, England made a bright start to Day 2 as they allowed India to add just 18 more runs to their overnight total of 410.
With Deepti Sharma's presence at the crease, a 1st innings total beyond 450 looked inevitable, but Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone, who took one and two wickets, respectively, ensured that they started the day on the right foot.
Bet here now on the India Women vs England Women Test match and other cricket matches!
England openers Tammy Beaumont and Sophia Dunkley were burdened with the pressure of providing the visitors with an impeccable start in the innings after India posted a mammoth 1st innings score.
Dunkley, though, was cleaned up by a corker from debutant Renuka Singh, who got her first Test wicket in her second over. To make matters worse, skipper Heather Knight was trapped in front off a Pooja Vastrakar delivery. England were in a big spot of bother, reeling at 28-2.
Beaumont and Sciver-Brunt raised a 51-run stand for the third wicket. The former was the victim of an unlucky run out - thanks to some sensational fielding by Vastrakar - just when she was starting to get settled and play the perfect second-fiddle to the aggressive Sciver-Brunt.
Sciver-Brunt continued her good form and was ably supported by Danielle Wyatt, who looked comfortable, too.
MORE: Who is the head coach of the Indian Women's Cricket team?
Enter Deepti Sharma, who ripped the English batting lineup to shreds with a fantastic spell of 5-7, her maiden five-wicket haul in Tests.
Sciver-Brunt finished as the top scorer for the visitors with a valiant 59-run knock, but England were dismissed by 136 and were made to look amateurs.
India, with a 292-run lead, had the option to enforce the follow-on on their opponents, but decided to bat for the second time in the Test.
Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana got India off to a great start as the opening partnership of 61 runs took India's lead past 350.
A determined Charlotte Dean and the energetic Sophia Ecclestone, though, weren't fazed by India's start as they shared six wickets between them to reduce India from 61-0 to 133-6.
Just when it looked England would capitalize on the collapse, Harmanpreet Kaur stayed unbeaten at the crease on 44 and played a captain's knock, getting involved in an unbeaten 53-run partnership with No. 8 Vastrakar.
India ended Day 2 at 186-6 with the lead now inflating to 478, putting the hosts in pole position to win the game.
MORE: Scores and highlights from Day 1 of the only Test between IND-W and ENG-W
India Women vs England Women score at Stumps, Day 2
IND-W, 1st innings: 428 all out in 104.3 overs (Shubha Satheesh 69, Jemimah Rodrigues 68; Lauren Bell 3-67)
ENG-W, 1st innings: 136 all out in 35.3 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 59, Danielle Wyatt 19; Deepti Sharma 5-7)
IND-W, 2nd innings: 186-6 in 42 overs, lead by 478 runs (Harmanpreet Kaun 44*, Shafali Verma 33; Charlotte Dean 4-68)
MORE: IPL 2024 Auction - Full list of players and price brackets
Highlights, Day 2 of the Test match between India W and England W
First wicket in Test cricket for Renuka Singh Thakur! 👏 👏
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 15, 2023
What a cracker of a dismissal that was! 👌 👌
Follow the Match ▶️ https://t.co/UB89NFaqaJ #TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/qOec4kOHTC
Solid anticipation ✅
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 15, 2023
Clean pick-up ✅
Spot-on accuracy ✅
𝘿𝙊 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝙈𝙄𝙎𝙎: Pooja Vastrakar's fielding brilliance 🎥 🔽
Follow the Match ▶️ https://t.co/UB89NFaqaJ#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @Vastrakarp25 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/hPBG9zy6XL
Ready to make your predictions and win on the Cricket matches? To find all the latest odds, betting and cricket scores and fixtures from India click here
