Last Update on: June 19th, 2021 at 11:53 pm
The Indian women’s team held out for a draw against England in a historic Test in Bristol as they produced an outstanding rearguard. The Indian women’s outfit had found themselves under immense pressure after conceding more than a 100-run lead following a confident start in the first innings. Yet, Sneh Rana, the debutant, ensured the visitors escaped with a draw.
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Sneh Rana was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings as England managed 396 in the first innings, headlined by half-centuries from Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, and Sofia Dunkley. Rana had triggered a collapse from a comfortable position on the opening day by picking up three wickets. The last batter she dismissed was Anya Shrubsole, the number eleven, who scored a quickfire 47 runs off 33 balls.

After a mammoth 167-run opening stand between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, the visitors collapsed for a paltry 231. After Verma and Mandhana, only Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar reached double figures. Sophie Ecclestone took four wickets to star in India’s first innings. England chose to enforce the follow-on, forcing India to bat again. After scoring 96 in the first innings, Shafali made 63 to square off an outstanding debut. Nevertheless, Mithali Raj endured a forgettable match, making two single-figure scores.

Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut also made crucial contributions; however, more than that, the duo face a staggering 272 deliveries between them. Ecclestone snared four more wickets in the second innings; however, she could not stop Rana from steering her team to a stalemate. Rana finished 80 not out from 154 balls, while Taniya Bhatia ended unbeaten on 44, lasting 121 overs to produce a famous draw.
Below is how Twitter reacted to India women’s team’s remarkable blockathon:
Meanwhile gripping game in Bristol as India fight hard to prevent defeat. #INDWvsENGW
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 19, 2021
A story overcoming adversities with courage and determination.
Sneh Rana's father underwent various sacrifices to ensure she could practice, she lost her him days before selection in the test team , and today she has saved the test match for India. Hats off. #INDWvsENGW pic.twitter.com/94KSAqOsQX— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) June 19, 2021
Commendable stuff to come from behind to draw this match. Top innings from Sneh Rana & Taniya Bhatia. Special mention to Shafali, Deepti & rest of the girls for pulling this off. @bcciwomen #INDWvENGW pic.twitter.com/5OBYIWjAFt
— Veda Krishnamurthy (@vedakmurthy08) June 19, 2021
After 2402 days, India Women's return to Test cricket was special 🤩👌
A fitting end 🇮🇳💙
📸: @BCCIWomen #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/bLYx80Ep9M
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) June 19, 2021
#TeamIndia – Never. Give. Up. 🇮🇳
📸: @ESPNcricinfo#ENGvIND | @BCCIWomen pic.twitter.com/e8RMc3KaZ9
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) June 19, 2021
A brilliant effort by the Indian girls to save the test match. Absolutely loved the resilience shown by Sneh Rana and earlier by Deepti Sharma. Shafali Verma certainly has a bright future ahead of her. Well done @BCCIWomen , this is one to remember for a long time. pic.twitter.com/CNQY5HyGXk
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 19, 2021
Ashwin Vihari and now Sneh Taniya. This is the brand of cricket India plays. Well done. @BCCIWomen @BCCI
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) June 19, 2021
Take a bow @BCCIWomen that was a phenomenal performance!! This draw is no less than a win. That partnership from Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia showed the character of this team. Well done👏🏼👏🏼 #ENGWvINDW pic.twitter.com/X1icjz4Oju
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 19, 2021
Sneh Rana ,take a bow.
Could be one of the great match-saving innings #INDWvsENGW— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 19, 2021
Very nice to see the resolve shown by the these two Indian batters- Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia. @BCCIWomen #INDWvsENGW #Bristol
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) June 19, 2021
Shafali Verma is a ⭐️. So excited to see her in the Hundred. For now though – love test cricket #ENGvIND
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) June 19, 2021
Wonderful to see the fight back from the @BCCIWomen team. Indian cricket is indeed on the right track and promises a brighter future! #INDWvsENGW
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) June 19, 2021
From ending the T20 series vs South Africa with a Player of the series award @TheShafaliVerma makes an impressive Test debut vs England to earn the Player of the Match award. A real good talent @BCCIWomen
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) June 19, 2021