Smriti Mandhana’s stellar knock sinks England Women to force series decider

Smriti Mandhana yet again proved her prowess with the willow and produced a sensational knock which saw India Women Team seal an emphatic eight-wicket victory over England Women in the second T20I of the three-match series on Tuesday (September 13). With this win the series is now tied at 1-1 and Harmanpreet Kaur and Co will play the decider in Bristol on Thursday.

Chasing a below-par target of 143, Mandhana belted a stunning 79 off 53 which was well coupled with captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s 29 off 22 as India went past the victory line with three overs to spare.

England had fought back from 54/5 in the 10th over to post a total of 142/6 thanks to a briliant half-century from the 17-year-old Freya Kemp, who became the youngest woman batter to reach the landmark in T20 internationals. But India severely punished the bowling of the left-armer, with Shafali Verma (20 off 17) and Smriti Mandhana smashing 19 runs off her one over, during their opening stand of 55 from 35 balls.

Shafali was caught and bowled by Sophie Ecclestone at the end of the powerplay, but Mandhana powered on to a 36-ball half-century. Alongside her, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur – dropped by Danni Wyatt at deep midwicket on 20 – sailed along to 29 from 22 balls as India romped home.

After the last match we needed to come back stronger and level the series. I was pushing myself not to play a rash shot and take it deep. It’s good to bat, good wicket. I found my touch back, timing the ball the way I want to. You go out as an opener and try to give your team a good start,” Mandhana said after the match.