India Women vs England Women: Harmanpreet’s side aim for 4-1 finish after sealing historic T20I series win

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New Delhi: With the series already in the bag, Harmanpreet Kaur andthe  Indian team will look to end the five-match T20I series on a high when they take on England in the final game at Edgbaston tonight. The clash might be inconsequential in the context of the series scoreline but for India, a win would not only seal a 4-1 triumph but also send out a strong statement before the ODI leg against the Lionesses.

India created history as they clinched their maiden T20I series over England in the fourth game, riding on excellent fielding and disciplined bowling. While the batters and bowlers have done their job throughout the series but it was the electric fielding display at the Oval that stood out. Arudhati Reddy took three sharp catches in the deep while Radha Yadav’s athleticism on the field helped India restrict England to 126/7, setting up a comfortable six-wicket victory.

The win not only secured the series for India but also provided a moral boost ahead of the three-match ODI series that will follow next. Another win on Saturday will help Harmanpreet’s team carry the momentum forward and dent England’s confidence at home just before they get into the next leg of the tour.

Spinners continue to shine

India’s spin-heavy attack featuring four spinners has been the backbone of their success. England’s batters have struggled to counter the spin threat as they lost 22 wickets to spinners in the series. Radha Yadav, who was named the Player of the match for her two wickets and exceptional fielding in the previous game, has been a constant threat while young N Shree Charani has emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the series after making her T20I debut.

Deepti Sharma was once again the most successful spinner in women’s T20Is as she provided stability to the attack, making it difficult for the English batters to break free.

Batters step up

Smriti Mandhana has been India’s top run-scorer in the series, providing steady starts alongside the aggressive Shafali Verma. Shafali’s 19-ball 31 in the fourth T20I set the tone for India’s chase, and her performance earned her a recall to the India A squad for the upcoming Australia tour. The young opener will look to convert her starts into bigger scores to strengthen her position in the senior team.

Jemimah Rodrigues has been a consistent performer in the middle order, scoring 107 runs in the series so far and hitting the winning runs in the last match.

Despite being among the runs, Harmanpreet Kaur will be looking to find her rhythm and fluency before the ODI series begins.

England’s struggles continue

The absence of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt due to a groin injury has hurt England’s balance and their batting has lacked consistency throughout the series. Sophia Dunkley has been the only batter to show signs of form while openers Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge have failed to give solid starts, putting pressure on an already shaky middle order.

In the bowling department, Lauren Bell has been the standout performer with six wickets but the rest of the attack has struggled to contain India’s aggressive batting line-up.

Looking ahead

India have already scripted history and will look to maintain their winning momentum as they will be eager to continue their dominance and finish the series with a 4-2 scoreline ahead of the ODI series.

Squads

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, N Shree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare

England: Tammy Beaumont (C), Em Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones (WK), Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong, Maia Bouchier