Yastika Bhatia: From career-threatening injury to first female Test centurion at Lord's

London, Jul 13: If someone told Yastika Bhatia six months back that she would become the first female cricketer to slam a Test century at the home of cricket, the Lord's, even the India wicketkeeper-batter wouldn't have believed it.

That, however, became a reality, on Sunday (July 12). After recovering from a career-threatening knee injury she sustained last year, the 25-year-old Baroda cricketer made one of the comebacks to remember at the historic Lord's Test, and put her name at the honours board.

Batting at number three in the second innings of the Test match against England Women, Bhatia scored 113 off 158 before India declared their second innings at the stroke of tea on day three at 341/7, setting hosts a massive 457-run target.

"It's unbelievable (to become first woman cricketer to score a 100 at Lord's) because six months ago I was in a very different place and if you would have told me that I would have my name in the honours board I wouldn't have believed it," Bhatia said after the third day's play.

The Gujarat-born cricketer, who produced one of the finest knocks in the red-ball format in just her third Test match, went on claiming that her best is yet to come.

"The best is yet come, I have always believed that. But so far it's really good and I enjoyed my time in the middle. It's just the beginning, a lot more to come and I am looking forward to that," he added.

She credited her family, teammates and support staff for helping her recover from the career-threatening torn ACL in her left knee that she sustained in October last year. The injury, which needed a surgery, prevented her from competing in India's ODI World Cup-winning campaign at home.

"A lot of people have been working behind the scenes, my family, my father, mother, my sister they have been the biggest backbone, support. My coaches, trainers back home, the support staff and teammates here, they have backed me.

"Also COE (BCCI's Centre of Excellence) where I underwent rehab. All of them played a crucial role, it wouldn't have been possible without them," she said.

Recollecting the tough phase during her recovery period, Bhatia said her love for the game kept her in a positive frame of mind. "I started from scratch after the surgery. For two months I was in total rest, all muscles of my left leg were lost in that two months, so after that I had to start from scratch.

"Rehab process began after that and slowly, progress happened. So it was frustrating also, missing out on big tournaments and just doing rehab...but at the same time I had belief in myself that I can comeback from this injury," the left-handed batter said.

"People around me also helped me in keeping a positive frame of mind. Whatever setbacks you have but the love for the game and belief in yourself that's very crucial to make a comeback from rock bottom," she added.

She said she never though about a century and her only focus was on helping the team win the match. "I didn't think of my 100 or anything but on posting a big score at a good rate, so that we have good time to take their 10 wickets, that was in my mind. I always play best when I play for the team. Playing for the country is a matter of big pride for me," she said.

"I was given a clear message play according to the ball, there was no rush from the dressing room, no extra pressure, they were like 'play whatever you feel best'. The ball was coming better on the bat so I was trying little more and also with wickets in hand, we were in good position," Bhatia added.

At stumps on Day 3, England were 130/6 in 40 overs and the hosts still need another 327 runs to win the game with overnight batters Amy Jones (52*) and Sophie Ecclestone (1*) at resuming batting on the final day.