Harmanpreet Kaur’s India side secured a historic T20I series victory against England, winning the fourth match convincingly at Old Trafford to seal the five-match series 3-1.
England’s Batting Struggles to Find Momentum
Opting to bat first, England’s innings never truly took off. The conditions at Old Trafford favored slower bowlers, a strength India leveraged effectively. After a decent start, England’s run rate consistently declined, struggling to hit boundaries.
Throughout their 20 overs, England managed only eight fours and three sixes, with two of the sixes coming in the very last over. They just about crossed the 120-run mark, finishing at 126/7, a target that seemed subpar even before India’s response.
India’s Bowlers Deliver a Masterclass
India’s bowling attack showcased a cohesive performance, expertly restricting England’s scoring. Only one of India’s six bowlers conceded more than 8 runs an over, highlighting their collective discipline.
Player of the Match, Radha Yadav, was exceptional, finishing with figures of 2/15 from her four overs at an impressive economy rate of 3.75. Sree Charani made a strong comeback after an initial expensive over, ending with 2/30. Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, and Arundhati Reddy also played crucial roles, constantly keeping the English batters in check and attacking the stumps.
Fielding Excellence Sets the Tone
Beyond the bowling, India’s fielding was a standout feature, demonstrating significant improvement. Arundhati Reddy initiated the brilliance with a smart high catch to dismiss Danni Wyatt-Hodge, setting an energetic tone for the innings. She went on to take three catches in total.
Radha Yadav’s sharp catch at point to send back the dangerous Sophia Dunkley further underscored India’s enhanced ground fielding. This sharpness delighted captain Harmanpreet Kaur, as fielding has been an area of focus for the team.
A Confident Chase Seals the Series
Chasing 127, India’s openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana broke down the target effectively in the powerplay. Shafali, known for her aggressive style, took on rapid bowler Lauren Filer early, hitting three fours in the second over.
Smriti, despite an eventual score of 32 off 31, also contributed vital boundaries, including a brilliant squeeze through the field off a yorker. While a few minor hiccups occurred in the middle overs, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues ensured there was no collapse, calmly guiding India to victory with six wickets and three overs to spare.
- India secured their first bilateral T20I series win with multiple matches on English soil.
- Indian bowlers restricted England to a low total, with Radha Yadav shining as Player of the Match.
- Improved fielding was a key factor in India’s dominant performance.
- Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided a strong foundation for the chase.
This historic series win marks a significant milestone for Harmanpreet Kaur’s side, showcasing their growing strength and consistency in the T20I format.
