Trent Bridge – Indian opener Smriti Mandhana delivered a sensational performance to script history as India Women handed England Women their heaviest-ever defeat in T20 Internationals, winning by a massive 97 runs in the series opener at Trent Bridge.
Mandhana lit up the venue with a stunning 112 off 62 balls, marking her first T20I century and becoming the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket – Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Her knock, laced with elegant strokes and fierce power-hitting, helped India post a daunting total of 211/5, their second-highest T20I total ever.
England’s chase never took off. Apart from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who scored a fighting 66 off 42 balls, the rest of the English batting lineup crumbled under pressure. The team was bowled out for 113 in just 15.1 overs, recording their worst defeat by run margin in the shortest format.
Making her debut, 21-year-old Shreyanka Patil impressed with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for just 12 runs, the best figures by an Indian woman on T20I debut. Her spell, combined with disciplined bowling from India’s spin unit, left England with no room for recovery.
India’s fielding was sharp, and their strategy clinical. Despite missing regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur due to concussion protocol, stand-in captain Mandhana led the side with confidence, making bold bowling changes and field placements that paid off.
Mandhana, reflecting on her century, said, “It’s been a long time coming. I wasn’t thinking about the three-format record, but to help the team start the series with a win is what matters most.”
The next match of the five-game series will be played in Bristol on July 1, where England will look to bounce back from this shocking defeat.
Key Highlights:
- India Women: 211/5 (20 overs)
- England Women: 113 all out (15.1 overs)
- Result: India Women won by 97 runs
- Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana (112 off 62)
This victory is not only a statement from Team India ahead of the T20 World Cup but also a reminder of Mandhana’s brilliance and the team’s growing depth in both batting and bowling.
