On a bright evening at the County Ground in Bristol, India Women scripted a performance that was part grit, part brilliance, and all heart.
Fuelled by standout performances from Amanjot Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues, and backed by a clinical bowling display led by Shree Charani, India defeated England by 24 runs in the second T20I, going 2–0 up in the five-match series.
This wasn’t just a win it was a statement. A declaration that the Women in Blue have the depth, the resilience, and the firepower to not only challenge the best, but beat them convincingly on their own turf.
A Wobble and Then a Rescue Act: India’s Innings in Two Halves
Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, India got off to the worst possible start. After the heroics of Smriti Mandhana in the first T20I, expectations were high. But the English pace duo of Lauren Filer and Lauren Bell ensured early disruption.
Shafali Verma was the first to fall caught gloving a surprise bouncer for just 3. Mandhana followed soon after for 13, mistiming a shot to mid-on, while Harmanpreet Kaur, returning to the side after a head injury, failed to make an impact, falling for just 1. In the span of five overs, India found themselves stuttering at 31/3.
But just as England looked to tighten the screws, Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur stepped up with calm heads and confident strokeplay. The pair stitched together a stunning 93-run partnership for the fourth wicket, reviving India’s innings with maturity and aggression.
Jemimah, with her signature elegance, struck 63 off 41 balls, registering her 13th T20I half-century, while Amanjot Kaur was all grit and grace in her maiden T20I fifty. Her unbeaten 63 off 40 balls, laced with timely boundaries, allowed India to finish strong at 181/4.
Richa Ghosh, coming in at the death, added the finishing touches with a quick-fire 32 off 20, taking India past the 180-mark a daunting target in any conditions.
England’s Chase Falters Under Pressure
Chasing 182, England never found momentum. Their innings began in shambles with a horrific mix-up between Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, resulting in Dunkley’s run out in the very first over. The disaster continued as Wyatt-Hodge departed off the next ball, caught at mid-off off Deepti Sharma.
England’s skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt tried to rebuild, cracking three boundaries off Shree Charani in a single over. But the promising recovery was short-lived. Amanjot Kaur, not done with her exploits with the bat, struck in her very first over removing the England captain courtesy of a sharp catch from Harmanpreet at mid-on.
At 17/3, England were in the exact same position India had found themselves earlier. The middle order duo of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones steadied things momentarily with a 70-run stand. Beaumont, composed and classy, notched up her 11th T20I fifty, but fell short of taking England across the line run out by a moment of brilliance from Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav.
The turning point came soon after. In a sensational over, Shree Charani struck twice removing both Amy Jones (32) and Alice Capsey (5) — halting England’s charge and breaking their back at 110/6.
Though Sophie Ecclestone fought valiantly with 35 off 21 balls, the total was too steep and the wickets too few. England ended their innings at 157/7, handing India a thoroughly deserved 24-run victory.
Star Performers: Amanjot, Jemimah, and the All-Round Dominance
For her stellar all-round show an unbeaten half-century and a crucial wicket Amanjot Kaur was named Player of the Match. In just her ninth T20I, she showcased composure beyond her years. This is the kind of player India has long been searching for — someone who can anchor when needed, accelerate when required, and chip in with the ball.
Jemimah Rodrigues, often overshadowed in big-match discussions, reminded everyone of her class. Her shot selection, ability to rotate strike, and calmness under pressure make her a vital cog in this Indian setup.
And then there was Shree Charani the find of this series so far. After a solid debut in the first T20I, the youngster continued her golden run, scalping two key wickets and rattling the English middle order.
Records and Milestones: Bristol’s Historic Night
The win in Bristol was significant on several fronts:
- India became the first team ever to register 10 T20I wins against England in England (men’s and women’s combined).
- This was the first time in 19 years that the Indian women’s team had registered back-to-back T20I wins in a bilateral series.
- For Nat Sciver-Brunt, this was her first loss in Bristol after five successive wins.
- Smriti Mandhana, playing her 150th T20I, continued her streak of winning landmark matches having also won her 50th and 100th.
With a 2–0 lead in the bag, India now stands just one win away from sealing their first-ever T20I series victory in England. The third match is scheduled to be played at The Oval, a venue rich with history for Indian cricket. It was here that the Indian men’s team sealed their first-ever Test series win in England and the women’s team will look to etch their own legacy.
The mood in the camp is buoyant. The team has shown depth, resilience, and flair. With bowlers executing plans precisely and the middle order stepping up, India appears far more balanced and self-assured than in past overseas tours.
Final Word: More Than Just a Win
This wasn’t just about leading a series. It was about belief. In a year where women’s sport in India is gaining momentum, such performances are crucial. They remind fans, sponsors, and stakeholders of the immense potential of this team a team that has the tools, the stars, and the spirit to challenge the very best.
From Nottingham’s domination to Bristol’s brilliance, India’s women have not only entertained but inspired. The series isn’t over, but the message is clear:
Team India has arrived. And this time, they mean business.
Brief Scores:
India Women: 181/4 in 20 overs (Amanjot Kaur 63*, Jemimah Rodrigues 63; Lauren Bell 2/17)
England Women: 157/7 in 20 overs (Tammy Beaumont 54, Sophie Ecclestone 35; Shree Charani 2/28)
India won by 24 runs and lead the series 2–0.
#INDvENG #TeamIndia #AmanjotKaur #JemimahRodrigues #BristolWin #T20Iseries #WomenInBlue #CricketIndia #WomensCricket #ShreeCharani
