India Women had a fantastic momentum going in the five-match T20I series with a convincing 24-run win over England in Bristol, moving to 2-0. Resounding shows of strength with bat and ball allowed the visitors to remain in sole charge throughout the game.
Top-Order Wobble After Promising Start
Deciding to bowl first once again, England were subjected to early pressure when Smriti Mandhana began India’s innings with two sharp boundaries in the very first over. That was short-lived happiness for them as England soon regained the initiative during the powerplay. Shafali Verma, back in the national team, was unable to set the stage ablaze yet again, and Mandhana fell for a modest 13.
India’s cause was further jeopardized when skipper Harmanpreet Kaur left for a mere single, leaving the visitors at 35/3 from six overs.
Rodrigues And Amanjot Power India’s Recovery
With a challenging rebuilding period ahead of them, Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur maintained calm and carefully constructed a partnership. They turned the game around definitively with a fiery burst featuring a 14-run over off Linsay Smith that sent India’s scoring rate soaring.
Rodrigues had displayed her aggressive touch by dispatching 6, 4, 4 in one over from Em Arlott, and then continuing her boundary hitting to reach a well-deserved half-century. Amanjot soon followed, making most use of the field restrictions and looking to score at a fast rate.
Although Rodrigues’s innings came to an end via a sharp catch from Sophia Dunkley, Amanjot carried on the charge, reaching her maiden T20I fifty in the death overs.
Late Surge Gives India Competitive Total
Amanjot and Richa Ghosh saw India through, scoring 55 runs between them in the last five overs. Ghosh was unbeaten on a 20-ball 32, taking India to a challenging total with momentum firmly on their side.
Bowling Brilliance Rocks England’s Chase
India began firing with the ball, putting England on the back foot right from the start. Deepti Sharma dismissed Danni Wyatt-Hodge on her first ball, and Sophia Dunkley was run out in the first over.
With a brief counter-attack from Nat Sciver-Brunt, her own dismissal to Amanjot served further to dash England’s aspirations. Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones then tried to revive the innings with a strong partnership, with Beaumont scoring her first T20I half-century in four years.
Rana’s Run-Out Turns The Tide
As England appeared to fight back into the match, Sneh Rana’s piece of brilliance in the field resulted in Beaumont’s run-out a turning point of the match. India’s bowlers then tightened their holds, putting pressure through strict bowling and frequent breakthroughs.
Even as Sophie Ecclestone gave a few big hits towards the end, the damage had already been done as India cruised to a convincing 24-run victory.
