Smriti Mandhana shines as India level T20I series against England
A valiant effort by opening batter Smriti Mandhana led India to clinch their first win of the three-match series, thereby leveling the series 1-1 against England. Indian batters had a good track record at Derby, and they utilized the conditions brilliantly as Mandhana’s unbeaten 53-ball 79* oversaw India in the second T20I of the series.
Winning the toss, England opted to bat first. India had been dominant from the very beginning as all-rounder Deepti Sharma and pacer Renuka Singh took charge in the powerplay and worked wonders with the new ball. The two went on to dismiss English openers Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley within the first three overs, and Alice Capsey followed them soon after a terrible run-out.
Within just three overs, England’s top-order lineup had come crashing down. Bryony Smith and skipper Amy Jones steered the ship and sailed through the powerplay, but they had no answers to Sneh Rana’s spell. The spin-bowling all-rounder dismissed both Smith and Jones, but Smith’s wicket would not have been possible without Radha Yadav’s diving effort as she ran from long-on off the bowling of Rana to get her hands on the elevated ball.
England had lost five wickets within 10 overs and India had the grip on the game, but little did they know about Freya Kemp’s abilities with the bat. Maia Bouchier and Kemp put up a show on display under pressure and stitched up a 65-run stand for the sixth wicket. After Bouchier’s untimely dismissal, 17-year-old Kemp took charge and went on to score a record-breaking 51*(37), becoming the second youngest English woman to score a half-century, which helped England post 142/6.
A Smriti Mandhana show at Derby
All eyes were on India batters, who had been in good touch recently and had successfully given India the dream starts. Shafali Verma and Mandhana piled up runs at a good pace, keeping up with the required run rate as they shared a brilliant 55-run stand before the former lost her wicket inside the powerplay. Dayalan Hemalatha joined Mandhana at the top but Freya Davies sent her walking back soon.
While England bowlers rejoiced at getting two quick wickets, the Indian batters put an end to their celebration and did not give them any scope of a wicket thereon. While skipper Harmanpreet Kaur survived a scare when Danni Wyatt dropped her catch, it was a pure Smriti Mandhana show till the end.
The duo shared an unbeaten 69-run stand, with Mandhana taking care of the fireworks. Her knock, alongside Kaur’s efforts, helped India chase down the total with 20 balls to spare as India leveled the series 1-1 and took it to its final decider game which is scheduled for Thursday, September 15 at Bristol.
