India secured a hard-fought 3-2 T20I series victory against England, despite a last-ball thriller at Edgbaston where they narrowly missed a clean sweep opportunity.
A Last-Ball Cliffhanger
The fifth and final T20I between India and England delivered edge-of-your-seat drama right down to the very last ball. India, having set a target of 167 for 7, saw England’s openers get off to a blistering start, threatening to chase it down with ease.
However, India’s bowlers and fielders clawed their way back into the game, setting up a thrilling finale. England needed just 6 runs off the final over and then a single from the last delivery to seal a consolation win.
As Sophie Ecclestone tapped the ball and dashed for a single, a golden opportunity arose for India. Smriti Mandhana, fielding at mid-on, had a seemingly straightforward run-out chance to tie the match and force a Super Over. Unfortunately, her underarm throw missed the stumps, allowing England to snatch victory as the batter was well short of her crease.
Shafali Verma’s Power-Hitting Masterclass
For India, the highlight of their innings was the explosive batting of Shafali Verma. She returned to form with a magnificent 75 runs off just 41 balls, including 13 fours and a six. This performance was a strong reminder of her unique ability to dominate attacks and single-handedly shift momentum.
Despite losing early wickets, Shafali ensured India posted a competitive total on a pitch that offered some assistance to England’s spinners. She found minimal support from other batters, apart from Richa Ghosh’s quickfire 24 off 16 deliveries late in the innings.
England’s Strong Start and India’s Fightback
England’s chase got off to a flying start, with openers Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge putting on an impressive 101-run partnership in just over 10 overs. Wyatt-Hodge, in particular, benefited from an early reprieve when young Sree Charani dropped a catch at short fine leg – one of two costly drops by Charani during the match.
As the innings progressed, India’s bowlers began to chip away at the wickets, tightening their grip and pushing up the required run rate. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s team showed great resilience to turn the tide after England’s dominant opening.
Radha Yadav’s Moment of Brilliance
Amidst the tension, Radha Yadav produced a moment of fielding brilliance that will be remembered. With Amy Jones attempting a powerful slog, Radha positioned herself at deep midwicket, running forward and executing a full-length diving catch to dismiss the batter. It was a crucial wicket that kept India’s hopes alive and showcased why she is considered one of India’s best fielders.
- India won the five-match T20I series against England 3-2.
- England secured a last-ball victory in the 5th T20I due to a missed run-out chance by Smriti Mandhana.
- Shafali Verma was the star performer for India, scoring 75 off 41 balls.
- Radha Yadav took a spectacular diving catch to dismiss Amy Jones, keeping India in the contest until the final ball.
While the final match slipped away, India’s overall series triumph underscored their strength and growing prowess in the T20 format, leaving fans eager for their next challenge.
