India's women's squad bounced back in style with an 8-wicket win against England in Derby. To chase down 143, Smriti Mandhana played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 79 off 53 balls, successfully squaring the three-game series at 1-1. Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 29, helping India wrap up the game with more than three overs to spare. Sneha Rana was the key weapon for India, taking 3 wickets for 24 runs across 4 overs.
Indian Women’s cricket team roared back by registering an 8-wicket win over England women in Derby. Chasing 143 to win, Indian opener Smriti Mandhana smashed a blistering unbeaten 79 off 53 balls and guided her side to level the three-match series 1-1. India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 29 as India reached home with more than 3 overs to spare. For India, off-spinner Sneha Rana starred with figures of 24/3 in 4 overs.
England elected to bat first but stumbled out of the gate, with Sophia Dunkley (5) and Danni Wyatt (6) falling early. The pressure mounted when Harmanpreet executed a great run-out to dismiss Alice Capsey (4). Though Bryony Smith and Amy Jones managed to put on 32 for the fourth wicket, Sneha Rana halted the recovery by taking Smith for 16, leaving England struggling at 48/4.
Rana kept the pressure high, dismissing Jones (17) in her following over. England managed to salvage their total to 142/6 thanks to Maia Bouchier's 34 and a stellar 51* from Freya Kemp. At just 17, Kemp made history by becoming the youngest female batter to score a half-century in T20 international cricket.
India started their chase with an explosion of runs, as Shafali Verma and Mandhana hammered 55 runs during the powerplay. Although Shafali (20) was caught and bowled by Sophie Ecclestone just as the powerplay ended, Mandhana continued her assault, reaching a half-century in 36 balls with a display of elegant hitting. It was a comfortable victory for the 'Women in Blue.' The final match to decide the series takes place today at 11 pm at the Gloucestershire Cricket Stadium.