India Women delivered another commanding performance in the second T20I against England Women at the County Ground in Bristol , securing a 43-run victory to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Following their record-breaking 97-run win in the series opener, India continued their dominance, with Smriti Mandhana leading from the front and their bowlers executing a disciplined plan. Despite Harmanpreet Kaur’s absence due to a precautionary rest after a head injury, India’s depth shone through in this thrilling encounter.
India’s Batting: Mandhana and Shafali Lay the Foundation
Batting first after England won the toss, India posted a formidable 181/4 in their 20 overs. Stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with a sparkling 78 off 49 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes, showcasing her sublime form after her maiden T20I century in Nottingham. Shafali Verma complemented her with an explosive 54 off 36 balls, smashing eight boundaries. Their 112-run opening partnership in just 11 overs set the tone, putting England’s bowlers under immediate pressure.
The middle order faced challenges, with Jemimah Rodrigues (12) and Richa Ghosh (14) falling to Sophie Ecclestone (1/31) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/27), who bowled tightly to stem the flow of runs. However, Deepti Sharma’s unbeaten 18 off 12 balls and a cameo from Harleen Deol (10* off 6) ensured India finished strongly. England’s fielding was sharper than in the first match, but their bowlers, including Lauren Bell (1/38), struggled to contain India’s aggressive start.
England’s Chase: Spinners Stifle the Hosts
Chasing 182, England started brightly, with Sophia Dunkley (22) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (18) adding 40 in the powerplay. However, India’s spinners turned the game in their favor. Debutant Shree Charani continued her dream run, picking up 2/21, including the key wicket of Tammy Beaumont (15). Deepti Sharma (1/23) dismissed Dunkley, while Radha Yadav (2/19) removed Amy Jones (10) with a sharp stumping by Richa Ghosh. England slumped to 78/4 by the 10th over, unable to keep up with the required run rate.
Nat Sciver-Brunt fought valiantly with a 45-run knock, but her dismissal by Sneh Rana (2/22) in the 16th over sealed England’s fate. The hosts were bowled out for 138 in 19.2 overs, with Arundhati Reddy (1/16) and Amanjot Kaur (1/10) mopping up the tail. India’s spinners, backed by sharp fielding, exploited the turning Bristol pitch, forcing England to hit against the wind and capitalizing on their errors.
Key Highlights and Performances
- Mandhana’s Masterclass: Smriti Mandhana’s 78 earned her another Player of the Match award, her third consecutive fifty-plus score in the series. Her ability to adapt to conditions and dominate England’s bowlers has been a game-changer.
- Shafali’s Firepower: Shafali Verma’s 54 provided the early momentum, signaling her return to form after a strong Women’s Premier League 2025 campaign.
- Charani’s Consistency: Shree Charani’s 2/21 on debut in the first match was no fluke, as she continued to trouble England’s batters with her left-arm spin.
- England’s Struggles: Despite Sciver-Brunt’s resistance, England’s middle order failed to build partnerships, and their vulnerability against spin was exposed again.
Captains’ Corner
Smriti Mandhana was delighted with the team’s all-round effort. “The openers set the platform, and the bowlers were brilliant in executing our plans. Shafali’s aggression and the spinners’ control made the difference,” she said, emphasizing the need to stay focused with three games left.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt acknowledged India’s superiority but remained optimistic. “We showed fight in patches, but we need to be sharper in the field and with our batting approach against spin. It’s a long series, and we’ll come back stronger,” she said.
Series Status and What’s Next
India’s 43-run win in Bristol solidified their 2-0 lead in the series, putting them in a strong position to clinch their first-ever bilateral T20I series victory against England. The third T20I, played on July 4 at The Oval, has no confirmed result in the available data, so India’s lead remains 2-0 based on the first two matches. The series now moves to Old Trafford for the fourth T20I on July 9, 2025, where England will look to mount a comeback on a ground where they’ve historically performed well. India, buoyed by their form and the possible return of Harmanpreet Kaur, will aim to seal the series.
This match underscored India’s growing prowess in T20 cricket, with their batting firepower and spin bowling proving too much for England.