The women’s Test between India and England ended up in a thrilling draw in Bristol as Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia held their ground to frustrate the hosts. While Shafali Verma, was named the player of the match for her heroics with the willow in both the innings, Sneh Rana’s unbeaten 80 ensured India don’t end up losing their first Test match in almost seven years. <o:p></o:p>

As a result, Rana ended up scripting a unique record as she became the first Indian cricketer, male or female, to register a score of 50-plus and a four-wicket haul on Test debut.

Earlier during England’s first and only innings, the left-arm spinner scalped four wickets to bring India back into the game at a time when the duo of Heather Knight and Nat Sciver were looking to dominate the proceedings with the bat.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-debutants-shine-as-indian-womens-team-draw-the-one-off-test-against-england-392688" hreflang="en">Cricket: Debutants shine as Indian women's team draw the one-off Test against England</a>

<o:p></o:p>

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Sneh Rana is the first ever Indian cricketer (men/women) with a 50+ score and 4+ wicket haul on Test debut.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvIND</a>
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) <a href="https://twitter.com/kaustats/status/1406532558532222976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Rana’s left-arm spine proved to be a potent threat on a Bristol pitch, offering a bit of grip and bounce, as she dismissed opener Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones, Georgia Elwiss and Anya Shrubsole to end up with four wickets in the first innings and be India’s pick of the bowlers. <o:p></o:p>

While India suffered a collapse with the bat in the first innings following a record-breaking opening partnership between Shafali and Smriti Mandhana, the rest of the batting unit faltered against a high-quality English bowling unit with only Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar managing to reach the double-digit mark beside the two openers. India posted 231 and were asked to bat again as England enforced the follow-on.<o:p></o:p>

However, it was the second innings when India’s batting unity blossomed. Despite losing Mandhana for eight, India held their ground as Deepti was promoted at number three. The all-rounder scored a gritty half-century while Shafali continued to play her natural game and ended up with 63. Deepti was sent packing at 54. Punam Raut chipped in with a crucial 39. But India did suffer another collapse with Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar departing cheaply. <o:p></o:p>

When an England win was looking inevitable, Rana and Bhatia tackled the threat of the English bowling unit and showed grit and resilience to see off the day as the duo scored 80 not-out and 44 not-out respectively. <o:p></o:p>

Rana, who was making her comeback into the Indian senior team after five years, would remember this match for long as she not only scripted a personal record but also guided India to a memorable draw in Bristol.<o:p></o:p>

The women’s Test between India and England ended up in a thrilling draw in Bristol as Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia held their ground to frustrate the hosts. While Shafali Verma, was named the player of the match for her heroics with the willow in both the innings, Sneh Rana’s unbeaten 80 ensured India don’t end up losing their first Test match in almost seven years.

The women’s Test between India and England ended up in a thrilling draw in Bristol as Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia held their ground to frustrate the hosts. While Shafali Verma, was named the player of the match for her heroics with the willow in both the innings, Sneh Rana’s unbeaten 80 ensured India don’t end up losing their first Test match in almost seven years. As a result, Rana ended up scripting a unique record as she became the first Indian cricketer, male or female, to register a score of 50-plus and a four-wicket haul on Test debut. Earlier during England’s first and only innings, the left-arm spinner scalped four wickets to bring India back into the game at a time when the duo of Heather Knight and Nat Sciver were looking to dominate the proceedings with the bat. ALSO READ: Cricket: Debutants shine as Indian women's team draw the one-off Test against England Sneh Rana is the first ever Indian cricketer (men/women) with a 50+ score and 4+ wicket haul on Test debut.#ENGvIND — Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) June 20, 2021 × Rana’s left-arm spine proved to be a potent threat on a Bristol pitch, offering a bit of grip and bounce, as she dismissed opener Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones, Georgia Elwiss and Anya Shrubsole to end up with four wickets in the first innings and be India’s pick of the bowlers. While India suffered a collapse with the bat in the first innings following a record-breaking opening partnership between Shafali and Smriti Mandhana, the rest of the batting unit faltered against a high-quality English bowling unit with only Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar managing to reach the double-digit mark beside the two openers. India posted 231 and were asked to bat again as England enforced the follow-on. However, it was the second innings when India’s batting unity blossomed. Despite losing Mandhana for eight, India held their ground as Deepti was promoted at number three. The all-rounder scored a gritty half-century while Shafali continued to play her natural game and ended up with 63. Deepti was sent packing at 54. Punam Raut chipped in with a crucial 39. But India did suffer another collapse with Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar departing cheaply. When an England win was looking inevitable, Rana and Bhatia tackled the threat of the English bowling unit and showed grit and resilience to see off the day as the duo scored 80 not-out and 44 not-out respectively. Rana, who was making her comeback into the Indian senior team after five years, would remember this match for long as she not only scripted a personal record but also guided India to a memorable draw in Bristol.

Cricket: Sneh Rana becomes first Indian cricketer to script unique record on Test debut

India women's cricket team spinner Sneh Rana on Wednesday dedicated her terrific Test debut outing to her late father, who died a couple of months back. Her father's demise came before she was named in the Indian team for the ongoing one-off match against England in Bristol.

At a time when England were looking to dominate with Nat Sciver and Heather Knight at the crease, the hosts were taken aback by&nbsp;Rana (3/77) and all-rounder&nbsp;Deepti Sharma&nbsp;(2/50) as they picked two wickets each in the final session of the opening day to bring India back in the Test, the team's first in seven years.

"I lost my father two months back. When this team was announced, a little before that, I lost him. It was a bit difficult, it was an emotional moment because he wanted to see me play again for India," Rana said during the press conference that followed after day one's play on Wednesday.

"But unfortunately, he can't. It's okay, it is part of life, but whatever I did after that and whatever I will do now, I will dedicate everything to him," she said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-wtc-final-india-vs-new-zealand-day-wise-weather-forecast-as-rain-threat-looms-in-southampton-391989" hreflang="en">Cricket: WTC Final, India vs New Zealand: Day-wise weather forecast as rain threat looms in Southampton</a>

England lost four wickets for 21 runs in seven overs in the final session. 
 
"The pitch was a little slow at the early stage, but it helped the spinners, because it was turning a bit from starting only.

"It's a really good wicket to bat on. I think it will remain the same tomorrow."

Opting to bat first, England women ended with 269/6 at stumps. Skipper Knight top-scored with a cracking 95 but couldn't complete her second Test ton.

"In the practice sessions, we used to speak to the captain (Mithali Raj) and coach (Ramesh Powar), on what to do, how to bowl, what needs to be done.

"I was playing for the first time in a Test, where the scenario is a bit different from one-days and T20s, so we used to speak daily about it."

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All-rounder Sneh Rana dedicates her <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> comeback to her late father. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/PHl4XHkjZT">pic.twitter.com/PHl4XHkjZT</a>
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCIWomen/status/1405252415893377025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Coach Ramesh Powar had urged Rana, whose scalps included&nbsp;Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones and&nbsp;Georgia Elwiss, to bowl to her strengths.

"Those who observe from the outside know better. He did not put any pressure but said that bowl to strength and follow the basics.

"So, I did not do anything extra on that ball (on which I got my first wicket), I just tried bowling to my strengths and it worked out."

Rana, who made a comeback to the national team after five years, said that she was rewarded for her performances in the domestic circuit.

"Actually, I suffered from an injury, due to which I was away from cricket for a year, but I have constantly played domestic (cricket) after that, and on the basis of that performance, I made a comeback to the Indian team after five years," she said.

Stressing that one should not give up, Rana said that her comeback could inspire a few people.

"Many people think we cannot make a comeback or making a comeback in international (cricket) is difficult, especially in women's cricket. So I feel because of me some people would have been inspired and we should not give up,” the off-spinner signed off.

India women's cricket team spinner Sneh Rana on Wednesday dedicated her terrific Test debut outing to her late father, who died a couple of months back. Her father's demise came before she was named in the Indian team for the ongoing one-off match against England in Bristol.

India women's cricket team spinner Sneh Rana on Wednesday dedicated her terrific Test debut outing to her late father, who died a couple of months back. Her father's demise came before she was named in the Indian team for the ongoing one-off match against England in Bristol. At a time when England were looking to dominate with Nat Sciver and Heather Knight at the crease, the hosts were taken aback by Rana (3/77) and all-rounder Deepti Sharma (2/50) as they picked two wickets each in the final session of the opening day to bring India back in the Test, the team's first in seven years. "I lost my father two months back. When this team was announced, a little before that, I lost him. It was a bit difficult, it was an emotional moment because he wanted to see me play again for India," Rana said during the press conference that followed after day one's play on Wednesday. "But unfortunately, he can't. It's okay, it is part of life, but whatever I did after that and whatever I will do now, I will dedicate everything to him," she said. ALSO READ: Cricket: WTC Final, India vs New Zealand: Day-wise weather forecast as rain threat looms in Southampton England lost four wickets for 21 runs in seven overs in the final session. "The pitch was a little slow at the early stage, but it helped the spinners, because it was turning a bit from starting only. "It's a really good wicket to bat on. I think it will remain the same tomorrow." Opting to bat first, England women ended with 269/6 at stumps. Skipper Knight top-scored with a cracking 95 but couldn't complete her second Test ton. "In the practice sessions, we used to speak to the captain (Mithali Raj) and coach (Ramesh Powar), on what to do, how to bowl, what needs to be done. "I was playing for the first time in a Test, where the scenario is a bit different from one-days and T20s, so we used to speak daily about it." All-rounder Sneh Rana dedicates her #TeamIndia comeback to her late father. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/PHl4XHkjZT — BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 16, 2021 × Coach Ramesh Powar had urged Rana, whose scalps included Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones and Georgia Elwiss, to bowl to her strengths. "Those who observe from the outside know better. He did not put any pressure but said that bowl to strength and follow the basics. "So, I did not do anything extra on that ball (on which I got my first wicket), I just tried bowling to my strengths and it worked out." Rana, who made a comeback to the national team after five years, said that she was rewarded for her performances in the domestic circuit. "Actually, I suffered from an injury, due to which I was away from cricket for a year, but I have constantly played domestic (cricket) after that, and on the basis of that performance, I made a comeback to the Indian team after five years," she said. Stressing that one should not give up, Rana said that her comeback could inspire a few people. "Many people think we cannot make a comeback or making a comeback in international (cricket) is difficult, especially in women's cricket. So I feel because of me some people would have been inspired and we should not give up,” the off-spinner signed off.

Cricket: India's Sneh Rana dedicates stellar Test debut to late father

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Cricket: Sneh Rana becomes first Indian cricketer to script unique record on Test debut

Cricket: India's Sneh Rana dedicates stellar Test debut to late father