Indian Women produced a fine performance with both ball and bat to secure a comfortable 5-wicket win over England Women. Although Women in Blue lost the three-match T20I series 1-2, they took some consolation prize by winning the final T20I match. Smriti Mandhana led India’s chase with a fine knock of 48 while Jemimah Rodrigues supported her with a fine 29. Earlier, both Shreyanka Patil and Saika Ishaque starred with a three-wicket haul for India.

Heather Knight’s decision to bat first did not yield a good result as her side lost three quick wickets inside the powerplay overs. Renuka Singh bowled out Maia Bouchier for a golden duck in the very first over. In her next over, Renuka dismissed Sophia Dunkley for 11. Ishaque then removed the experienced Alice Capsey for just 7.

England captain Knight (52) led from the front with a fine half-century but it was on a slower side. Ishaque and Shreyanka Patil bowled brilliantly to take wickets from both ends, stopping England batters from scoring runs at a quicker rate. Amy Jones and Charlie Dean chipped in with 25 and 16 respectively. England batters, who were too conservative with their batting, were bowled out for 126 in 20 overs.

In reply, Freya Kemp gave England a good start by dismissing Shafali Verma (6) early. But Mandhana and Jemimah stitched a 57-run partnership for the second wicket, taking the game away from England. Although England bowlers took a few wickets to get into the game, it was too late as Indian batters scored runs freely to take their side home.