...only to be denied by India's stubborn resistance.
Honours even. Bring on the white-ball matches.
Post update
So that's it from Bristol.
England looked set for victory...
Post update
Snehal Pradhan
Ex-India seamer on BBC Test Match Special
You could have easily had a Test like this overshadowed by a Virat Kohli double century.
You need to be pretty proactive at planning. England have been good in the past at making sure that men's and women's cricket do not overlap.
That's the main take away from me, that these things need to be handled with a lot of care.
Post update
England captain Heather Knight: "We can take the positives from this match. We tried to force the result. The girls were amazing. I'm really proud of how we stuck at it.
"We're pretty fit bunch, we train hard. We'll recover well and be able to come back for the ODI next Sunday."
Post update
Alex Hartley
England World Cup-winning spinner on Test Match Special
The pitch was absolutely fine. We saw a little bit of turn at lunch on day one which isn't ideal. There was nothing wrong with the pitch so I can't criticise that. But I can criticise the principle. It would never happen in men's cricket so why did it happen in women's?
Post update
India captain Mithali Raj: "It's an amazing result after the first-innings collapse. The debutants have stood up and performed for the team.
"We have a very positive environment in the dressing room. That's a good thing for these youngsters. This will definitely help build confidence going into the one-dayers."
Post update
Snehal Pradhan
Ex-India seamer on BBC Test Match Special
Verma is a debutant who was taking on the most difficult job of opening the batting, and then was up against two of the best swing bowlers in England.
It's not just the runs she scored but the pace she played at which laid the bedrock for this Test.
Post update
Player of the match Shafali Verma: "Thank you to the team for supporting me.
"The experienced players are always giving me confidence. That means so much to me.
"I'm disappointed not to have reached a century."
Post update
Quite rightly, Shafali Verma is player of the match.
Post update
Snehal Pradhan
Ex-India seamer on BBC Test Match Special
I have this theory and it may fit why we see so many late collapses in the third sessions of women's Tests.
If you look at the Indians, they have not played a Test in so long and went into this game with no warm-ups. With no experience of this format, they're learning to use new muscles and their body and mind has to adapt after 50 overs. And then it's about what kind of decisions you're making and stopping yourself from making the wrong decisions.
Post update
Alex Hartley
England World Cup-winning spinner on Test Match Special
England got themselves into such a brilliant position to win the Test. India were fantastic and it was a true battle between bat and ball.
It was one of the best Tests I have seen, it has given us everything and anything we could wish for but the England girls will be very frustrated.
After tea they were trying a little bit too hard, searching for wickets and bowling a bit too short.
Post update
Snehal Pradhan
Ex-India seamer on BBC Test Match Special
It started with Verma and Sharma's resistance and then once again a collapse and no contributions from the likes of Raj and Kaur.
Then the younger generations of batters orchestrating the rear guard. It was wonderful to see. We're seeing different levels of batting from this Indian line-up.
Post update
So we move on to the white-ball matches. Three ODIs and three T20s. Each one is worth two points in the multi-format showdown. The first ODI is in Bristol next Sunday.
Get Involved
#bbccricket
Leshia Hawkins: Regardless of the result in the Test & this rather disappointing and, let’s be honest, farcical silliness in the last hour, have genuinely loved spending the last session with #BBCcricket while puffing away up a few hills in Cardiff.
Post update
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
This is the best women's Test match I have seen. Congratulations to India for saving the game magnificently.
Post update
Isabelle Westbury
Ex-Middlesex captain on BBC Test Match Special
From an Indian perspective, they've been chasing the game the whole match. England have outplayed them, bar one of two players such as the prodigy kid Verma and Rana.
And they have achieved the unlikely draw and if they want half an hour out in the middle, seeing Rana enjoy that and the England fielders getting frustrated, it's fair enough and I'll give them that.
Post update
Sneh Rana ended 80 not out and Taniya Bhatia 44 not out. When they came together, England were winning this match.
Match drawn
And that is that.
India have denied England with a spirited final-day rearguard.
A wonderful Test is drawn. It's 2-2 in the multi-format series.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Bad light stops play
IndW 344-8
Has common sense prevailed? The India batters don't look happy about it.
Live Reporting
Stephan Shemilt and Kal Sajad
All times stated are UK
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
Latest PostPost update
...only to be denied by India's stubborn resistance.
Honours even. Bring on the white-ball matches.
Post update
So that's it from Bristol.
England looked set for victory...
Post update
Snehal Pradhan
Ex-India seamer on BBC Test Match Special
You could have easily had a Test like this overshadowed by a Virat Kohli double century.
You need to be pretty proactive at planning. England have been good in the past at making sure that men's and women's cricket do not overlap.
That's the main take away from me, that these things need to be handled with a lot of care.
Post update
England captain Heather Knight: "We can take the positives from this match. We tried to force the result. The girls were amazing. I'm really proud of how we stuck at it.
"We're pretty fit bunch, we train hard. We'll recover well and be able to come back for the ODI next Sunday."
Post update
Alex Hartley
England World Cup-winning spinner on Test Match Special
The pitch was absolutely fine. We saw a little bit of turn at lunch on day one which isn't ideal. There was nothing wrong with the pitch so I can't criticise that. But I can criticise the principle. It would never happen in men's cricket so why did it happen in women's?
Post update
India captain Mithali Raj: "It's an amazing result after the first-innings collapse. The debutants have stood up and performed for the team.
"We have a very positive environment in the dressing room. That's a good thing for these youngsters. This will definitely help build confidence going into the one-dayers."
Post update
Snehal Pradhan
Ex-India seamer on BBC Test Match Special
Verma is a debutant who was taking on the most difficult job of opening the batting, and then was up against two of the best swing bowlers in England.
It's not just the runs she scored but the pace she played at which laid the bedrock for this Test.
Post update
Player of the match Shafali Verma: "Thank you to the team for supporting me.
"The experienced players are always giving me confidence. That means so much to me.
"I'm disappointed not to have reached a century."
Post update
Quite rightly, Shafali Verma is player of the match.
Post update
Snehal Pradhan
Ex-India seamer on BBC Test Match Special
I have this theory and it may fit why we see so many late collapses in the third sessions of women's Tests.
If you look at the Indians, they have not played a Test in so long and went into this game with no warm-ups. With no experience of this format, they're learning to use new muscles and their body and mind has to adapt after 50 overs. And then it's about what kind of decisions you're making and stopping yourself from making the wrong decisions.
Post update
Alex Hartley
England World Cup-winning spinner on Test Match Special
England got themselves into such a brilliant position to win the Test. India were fantastic and it was a true battle between bat and ball.
It was one of the best Tests I have seen, it has given us everything and anything we could wish for but the England girls will be very frustrated.
After tea they were trying a little bit too hard, searching for wickets and bowling a bit too short.
Post update
Snehal Pradhan
Ex-India seamer on BBC Test Match Special
It started with Verma and Sharma's resistance and then once again a collapse and no contributions from the likes of Raj and Kaur.
Then the younger generations of batters orchestrating the rear guard. It was wonderful to see. We're seeing different levels of batting from this Indian line-up.
Post update
So we move on to the white-ball matches. Three ODIs and three T20s. Each one is worth two points in the multi-format showdown. The first ODI is in Bristol next Sunday.
Get Involved
#bbccricket
Leshia Hawkins: Regardless of the result in the Test & this rather disappointing and, let’s be honest, farcical silliness in the last hour, have genuinely loved spending the last session with #BBCcricket while puffing away up a few hills in Cardiff.
Post update
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
This is the best women's Test match I have seen. Congratulations to India for saving the game magnificently.
Post update
Isabelle Westbury
Ex-Middlesex captain on BBC Test Match Special
From an Indian perspective, they've been chasing the game the whole match. England have outplayed them, bar one of two players such as the prodigy kid Verma and Rana.
And they have achieved the unlikely draw and if they want half an hour out in the middle, seeing Rana enjoy that and the England fielders getting frustrated, it's fair enough and I'll give them that.
Post update
Sneh Rana ended 80 not out and Taniya Bhatia 44 not out. When they came together, England were winning this match.
Match drawn
And that is that.
India have denied England with a spirited final-day rearguard.
A wonderful Test is drawn. It's 2-2 in the multi-format series.
Bad light stops play
IndW 344-8
Has common sense prevailed? The India batters don't look happy about it.
Post update
Isabelle Westbury
Ex-Middlesex captain on BBC Test Match Special
This is brilliant, it's trolling and I love it.