Yastika Bhatia says Lord's honours board century was hard to imagine after injury layoff

LONDON: India wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia said earning a place on the Lord's honours board was difficult to comprehend after returning from major knee surgery only six months ago and scoring a century in the women's Test against England.

Bhatia made 113, her first international hundred, as India declared their second innings on 341-7 on Sunday. That set England a target of 427 in the inaugural women's Test at Lord's. By stumps on the third day of the four-day match, England were 130-6, leaving India in a strong position.

Her century carried added significance because she became the first woman to reach three figures in a Test at the London ground. The match is being played 142 years and 150 matches after the first men's Test at Lord's.

Speaking to reporters after play, Bhatia said the moment felt far removed from where she was earlier this year following surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. She also had wicketkeeping duties in hot conditions in London during the match.

Bhatia said:

I think it's unbelievable. Six months ago, I was in a very different place. And if you would have told me then I would have my name on the honoursboard, I wouldn't have believed it.

Recovery and support

Bhatia said fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who scored 83 in India's first innings and 70 in the second, played an important role during her rehabilitation. The two also shared a partnership during Bhatia's innings.

Recalling Mandhana's encouragement after she suffered a similar ACL injury, Bhatia said:

I had a conversation with her and she just looked at me and she said this is going to be the turning point in your career. We also met when I was in rehab and a little nervous But she said 'you are a sincere kid, you are a good human -- just keep doing the hard work and your time will come'.

She described the recovery as a slow and demanding process that required rebuilding strength around the knee step by step, while also dealing with the frustration of missing major tournaments. Bhatia said her family supported her through that period.

She added that returning to wicketkeeping helped restore her enthusiasm for the sport. Bhatia said:

Just catches I did, not even batting, first I did keeping. So I was very happy. That day I was like a little kid smiling whole day that I did keeping after four months... And I felt the love of the game again after that.

How the innings unfolded

Bhatia had an early escape at the start of Sunday's play when, still on her overnight 39 not out, a ball from Lauren Bell brushed the stumps without removing the bails. After that, she took control and went to lunch unbeaten on 91.

She moved from the 90s to a hundred without delay after the interval. Two successive boundaries off Issy Wong took her to 99, and a single from the same bowler brought up the milestone. The century came from 145 balls and included 12 fours.

Explaining her approach, Bhatia said:

I thought that if I get some loose deliveries, I'll try to make the most of it. There was no rush from the dressing room, no extra pressure. We also had wickets in hand. I always play best when I play for the team, so I was thinking that if we accelerate here, get some runs at good pace, it will be good.

Bhatia was eventually caught off Sophie Ecclestone, who also reached the honours boards with a five-wicket haul. Ecclestone praised the India batter's knock, saying:

She batted so well, and she really deserved that. It's pretty cool for her to be on the honours board.