England stored the five-match Girls’s T20I collection alive with a nail-biting 5-run victory over India within the third T20I on the Kennington Oval on Friday, July 4. After profitable the toss and electing to bat, England posted a difficult whole of 171/9 of their 20 overs, largely due to a scintillating opening partnership between Sophia Dunkley and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge. India, regardless of a powerful begin to their chase, fell simply brief, ending on 166/5. This significant win marks England’s first success within the five-match T20I collection, with India nonetheless main 2-1.
England’s dominant begin and dramatic collapse
England’s innings was a story of two distinct halves: a interval of explosive hitting adopted by a dramatic collapse. Openers Dunkley and Wyatt-Hodge set the stage ablaze, showcasing distinctive type and aggressive intent. Their exceptional 137-run partnership laid a formidable basis for England’s whole. Dunkley, who was deservedly named Participant of the Match, was the aggressor, smashing an excellent 75 runs off simply 53 deliveries, an innings punctuated by 7 fours and a well-struck six. Wyatt-Hodge, equally spectacular, offered glorious assist, hammering 66 runs off a mere 42 balls, together with 7 fours and three towering sixes. Their relentless assault on the Indian bowlers had England trying set for a large whole.
Muscled down the bottom by Wyatt-Hodge 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/NJTY1fXnHh
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 4, 2025
Nevertheless, the momentum shifted dramatically as soon as Dunkley departed within the sixteenth over, caught and bowled by Deepti Sharma. Her dismissal triggered a surprising unraveling of England’s innings. From a commanding place, England shockingly misplaced 9 wickets for simply 34 runs within the ultimate 5 overs. India’s bowlers, who had been on the again foot, staged a exceptional comeback to limit the harm. Deepti Sharma was the architect of this turnaround, ending with a wonderful spell of three wickets for 27 runs from her 4 overs. Arundhati Reddy additionally performed an important position within the collapse, claiming 3 wickets for 32 runs. Shree Charani bagged 2 wickets, whereas Radha Yadav chipped in with one dismissal, collectively guaranteeing England didn’t run away with an unassailable rating.
India’s valiant chase falls brief in an exciting end
Chasing 172 for victory, India Girls started their reply with clear intent, mirroring England’s aggressive begin. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma placed on a fast 85-run stand, maintaining India firmly within the hunt. Verma was significantly devastating, scoring a quickfire 47 off a mere 25 balls, together with 7 fours and a pair of highly effective sixes, showcasing her explosive batting. Mandhana, ever the anchor, continued her tremendous type with a well-composed 56 runs off 49 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and maintaining the scoreboard ticking.
Nevertheless, the essential dismissal of Shafali Verma marked a shift in momentum, very like England’s innings. Regardless of stable contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues (20 off 15 balls) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (23 off 17 balls), England’s bowlers tightened their grip within the latter half of the innings. Lauren Filer was instrumental in stifling India’s scoring fee, claiming 2 essential wickets for simply 30 runs from her 4 overs. Lauren Bell additionally picked up a key wicket for 37 runs, whereas Issy Wong secured one wicket for 36 runs, and Sophie Ecclestone was economical along with her 1 wicket for twenty-four runs.
Additionally READ: Smriti Mandhana achieves private greatest in ICC Girls’s T20I batting rating; Lauren Bell cracks prime 5 amongst bowlers
The match got here right down to a tense ultimate over, with India needing 11 runs for victory. England’s bowlers held their nerve beneath strain. The sport culminated in a dramatic ultimate ball, with India needing 6 runs. Lauren Bell, entrusted with the final over, delivered, dismissing Kaur and sealing a memorable 5-run victory for England. This thrilling win ensures the collection stays a charming contest because it heads into its penultimate match.
THE WINNING MOMENT! 🤩🎉 pic.twitter.com/lZFKKvahLe
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 4, 2025
The collection now strikes to Outdated Trafford for the 4th T20I on Wednesday, July 9, promising one other thrilling chapter on this compelling India Girls tour of England.
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This text was first revealed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Occasions firm.