The much-anticipated five-match T20 series between India Women and England Women kicked off in spectacular fashion as India secured a dominant 97-run victory in the first game. Held on June 28, 2025, this encounter was not only a display of India’s explosive batting but also their sharp bowling strategy, all led by captain Smriti Mandhana’s exceptional century.
Smriti Mandhana’s Statement Innings: 112 off 62
From the very start, it was clear that Smriti Mandhana meant business. Walking out to open the innings, she batted with elegance, timing, and aggressive intent. Her knock of 112 off 62 balls, decorated with 15 fours and 3 sixes, left the England bowlers stunned and the fans in awe. With a strike rate of 180.65, Mandhana anchored the innings perfectly, breaking her own T20 silence with a long-awaited century.
She later revealed in the post-match presentation that this century was especially meaningful as she had been determined to break the three-figure barrier on this tour. She attributed her success to adjusting to the wind conditions, focusing more on timing rather than brute force, and reading the bowlers well.
Supporting Firepower: Harleen Deol and Richa Ghosh
While Mandhana played the sheet anchor role, Harleen Deol delivered a fiery cameo, scoring 43 off just 23 balls. With 7 boundaries, Deol’s aggressive approach kept the scoreboard ticking and allowed Mandhana to rotate strike. Later in the innings, wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh chipped in with a quick 12 off 6 balls, showcasing India’s depth in power-hitting.
India ended their innings at 210/5 in 20 overs, a commanding total that immediately put England on the back foot.
England’s Response: Collapse Under Pressure
Chasing a target of 211, England had a disastrous start. They lost their openers Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley within the first two overs, leaving the team struggling at 9/2. Although Tammy Beaumont showed some resistance with a brief partnership, wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
The Indian bowling attack, combining pace and spin cleverly, exploited the conditions and applied constant pressure. England were bundled out for 113 runs in just 14.5 overs, falling short by a massive 97 runs.
Bowling Brilliance: N. Charani Steals the Spotlight
While the spotlight was on Mandhana’s bat, it was N. Charani who dismantled England with the ball. Her spell of 3.5 overs, 4 wickets for just 12 runs, was a masterclass in line, length, and control. She maintained an incredible economy rate of 3.13, making it impossible for the batters to score freely.
In addition to Charani, the bowling unit worked as a cohesive force:
Deepti Sharma: 3 overs, 2 wickets for 32 runs
Radha Yadav: 2 overs, 2 wickets for 15 runs
A. Reddy & A. Kaur also picked up a wicket each.
The bowlers successfully executed their plan to bowl slower through the air and outfox the batters, particularly targeting England’s middle order.
Captain’s Words: Calm, Confident, and Tactical
Post-match, captain Smriti Mandhana praised her team’s all-round performance. She lauded Harleen Deol for her aggressive middle-order batting and also acknowledged the bowlers for sticking to the game plan. The use of slower balls, variations, and smart field settings were instrumental in triggering England’s collapse.
Mandhana also hinted that this win was just the beginning and that the team is focused on taking the lead forward in the rest of the series. She emphasized the importance of keeping the momentum going.
Match Summary at a Glance
Team Score
India Women 210/5 (20 overs)
England Women 113 all out (14.5 overs)
Result India Women won by 97 runs
Player of the Match Smriti Mandhana – 112 (62 balls)
Key Takeaways:
Smriti Mandhana scored her first T20 century of the year in a stunning knock.
India posted one of their highest T20I totals in recent times (210/5).
N. Charani’s bowling spell was a game-changer with 4 wickets.
England struggled with early wickets and couldn’t recover from the collapse.
The Indian bowlers used pace variations and pressure tactics brilliantly.
What’s Next?
The second T20I is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1st, in Bristol, with the match starting at 11:00 PM IST (5:30 PM GMT). India currently leads the series 1-0, and with the confidence from this match, they will aim to extend their lead.
England, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly, address their top-order woes, and come back stronger if they hope to stay alive in the series.
Final Words
This match was a perfect showcase of India’s growing dominance in women’s cricket. A commanding total, brilliant field tactics, and unity in performance — it was a complete team effort led by a world-class captain. With Smriti Mandhana back in peak form and the bowling unit firing on all cylinders, the future looks bright for Team India.
Stay tuned for more updates as the series progresses!
