The Indian women’s cricket team received a special boost on the final morning of the one-off Test against England as batting legend Sachin Tendulkar paid a surprise visit to Lord’s Cricket Ground on Monday, July 13. With India closing in on a famous Test victory at the Home of Cricket, the presence of one of the game’s greatest icons added another memorable chapter to an already historic occasion.
India has dominated the contest from the opening day and entered the final session firmly in control. After being asked to bat first, the visitors posted a competitive 285 in their first innings. England, however, failed to capitalise on home conditions and were bundled out for just 170, thanks largely to an outstanding spell from Kranti Gaud. The young pacer claimed a superb five-wicket haul, handing India a commanding first-innings lead.
The visitors strengthened their grip on the match in the second innings by declaring at 341/7. Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia starred with a brilliant century, while vice-captain Smriti Mandhana contributed a fluent 70. Richa Ghosh added the finishing touches with an unbeaten half-century, helping India set England a daunting target of 457 runs.
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England’s batting lineup struggled once again under pressure. By stumps on Day 3, the hosts had slumped to 130/6, with Amy Jones standing as the lone resistance after finishing unbeaten on 52. England still required another 327 runs on the final day, while India needed only four wickets to register a landmark Test victory at Lord’s.
Before play resumed on Day 4, Tendulkar walked onto the outfield to meet the Indian players and coaching staff. The former India captain spent time interacting with the squad, sharing smiles and words of encouragement as cameras captured the heartwarming moments. His visit was warmly received by the players and created a special atmosphere at the iconic venue.
What a moment 🙌
Sachin Tendulkar joins the India Women’s team on the pitch at Lord’s before the final morning session against England 🏏 pic.twitter.com/GpLtYLMUYG
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 13, 2026
.@AlexZverev really threw everything at @janniksin today! His serve, his movement, his shot-making… outstanding.
But Sinner showed why champions need more than just their best tennis. He had to fight through difficult moments, stay composed and keep believing.
That resilience…
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 12, 2026
The appearance of the Master Blaster served as a timely morale boost for Harmanpreet Kaur’s side as they looked to complete one of the most significant overseas Test victories in Indian women’s cricket history.
Tendulkar had also been active on social media following the Wimbledon men’s singles final on Sunday. Congratulating champion Jannik Sinner on defending his title, the cricket icon praised both finalists for producing an outstanding contest.
In a post on X, Tendulkar applauded Alexander Zverev’s all-round display but credited Sinner’s composure under pressure as the defining factor in the championship match. He wrote that while Zverev showcased exceptional serving, movement and shot-making, Sinner’s resilience during difficult moments ultimately separated the champion from the challenger and secured his fifth Grand Slam title.
