Opener Smriti Mandhana hit a stroke-filled unbeaten 50 after off-spinner Sneh Rana snared three wickets to hand India women a comprehensive eight-wicket win over England in the second T20 International and level the series 1-1 at Derby. England’s decision to bat first night backfired as Indian bowlers raised their performance by a notch to reduce the hosts to 54 for five inside 10 overs.
England found the going tough in the initial overs, losing wickets at regular intervals before teenager Freya Kemp (51 not out off 37 balls) and Maia Bouchier (34 off 26) shared 65 runs for the sixth wicket to resurrect their innings. But once Rana broke the dangerous-looking partnership, taking the wicket of Bouchier stumped by Richa Ghosh, the writing was on the wall for England. Rana was the wrecker-in-chief returning with figures of 3/24, while Renuka Singh (1/30) and Deepti Sharma (1/21) picked up a wicket each.
India began their chase in a fine fashion with openers Mandhana (79 not out off 53) and Shafali Verma (20) adding 55 runs in the first six overs. Ecclestone got the breakthrough for England when she dismissed Verma.
Dayalan Hemalatha (9) once again disappointed as Freya Davies cleaned her up 16 balls later. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (29 not out off 22) then joined her deputy Mandhana at the crease and the duo played effortlessly, stitching unconquered 69 runs for the third wicket to complete the formalities as India reached 146 for two in 16. 4 overs. Scores: England Women 142/6 (Freya Kemp 51*, Maia Bouchier 34; Sneh Rana 3-24) lost to India Women 146/2 in 16. 4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 79*, Harmanpreet Kaur 29 no; Sophie Ecclestone 1-22).
