In a landmark moment for Indian women’s cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team scripted history by clinching their first-ever T20I series win against England on English soil. The Indian women’s team defeated England by 5 wickets in the third and final T20I at Hove to seal the series 2-1, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards global dominance in the shortest format.
Match summary: Nerves, composure, and a glorious finish
After losing the first T20I, India staged a remarkable comeback in the second match, setting up a thrilling decider. In the third T20I, England won the toss and opted to bat first. However, disciplined bowling by India restricted the hosts to 138/7 in 20 overs. Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma were exceptional, claiming crucial wickets in the middle overs while Renuka Singh kept the top order quiet with her swing and seam.
In response, Smriti Mandhana led from the front, scoring a fluent 56 off 42 balls with elegant drives and powerful pulls. Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the innings with 38 off 29 balls, displaying immense composure even after quick dismissals at the other end. Richa Ghosh ensured there were no late jitters with an aggressive cameo of 18 off 8 balls, guiding India home with three balls to spare.
Why this win is historic
Prior to this series, India had never won a women’s T20I series in England despite close contests in 2012, 2018, and 2022. This win reflects the team’s growth in adaptability and temperament under pressure conditions abroad. The Women in Blue have now beaten all top T20I sides in bilateral series in the last three years.
Player of the Series
Smriti Mandhana was adjudged Player of the Series for her consistent performances, aggregating 142 runs across three matches at a strike rate of 136. Her fearless approach against the England seamers and spinners laid the foundation in each game.
Key statistics from the historic series
| Player | Matches Played | Total Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | 3 | 142 | 47.33 | 136 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 3 | 97 | 48.5 | 128 |
| Richa Ghosh | 3 | 61 | 30.5 | 152 |
| Deepti Sharma | 3 | 4 wickets | 18.75 avg | 6.2 economy |
| Pooja Vastrakar | 3 | 5 wickets | 16.4 avg | 7.1 economy |
Impact on ICC rankings
This series win will boost India’s ICC Women’s T20I rankings, potentially bringing them closer to Australia and England, narrowing the points gap, and boosting confidence ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026 in Bangladesh.
Reactions from the cricketing world
Former India captain Mithali Raj praised the team’s composure:
“This win proves the depth in our batting and the growing maturity in handling pressure. Smriti and Harman deserve all the credit for leading from the front.”
England coach Jon Lewis admitted India outplayed them in crucial phases:
“India were the better side in the last two games. We need to reassess our batting approach.”
Fans celebrated on social media with hashtags like #WomenInBlue, #HistoricWin, and #INDvENG trending for hours after the victory.
Road ahead for Team India
The Indian women’s team will now travel to Ireland for a three-match T20I series before returning home for a packed domestic and international calendar featuring the Women’s T20 Challenge, bilateral ODI series against South Africa and Australia, and preparation camps ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Coach Amol Muzumdar’s perspective
Head coach Amol Muzumdar praised the squad’s self-belief:
“This is not just a win. It is a reflection of years of preparation, domestic structure strengthening, and the confidence the players have developed through the Women’s Premier League.”
Focus areas despite the win
While the series triumph is historic, experts noted concerns in the middle order’s consistency and death over bowling. Radha Yadav’s underwhelming performance and occasional lapses in fielding remain areas of improvement before the global tournaments.
Comparative record: India Women vs England Women in T20Is
| Matches Played | India Wins | England Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 9 | 21 | 0 |
This was only India’s ninth win against England in women’s T20Is but perhaps their most defining one.
Fan celebrations across India
From Mumbai’s Shivaji Park to Kolkata’s Salt Lake academies, budding women cricketers celebrated with special practice sessions and screenings, calling the win an ‘inspiration’ to push harder in their cricketing journeys.
Disclaimer
This news content is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Readers are advised to verify match statistics and player statements from official boards before making any interpretations or conclusions.
