England suffer 97-run defeat against batting powerhouse India

England endured their first defeat under Charlotte Edwards as India set an unchaseable 210, Smriti Mandhana registering her maiden IT20 century. England’s reply was lacklustre and remnant of their disastrous performances Down Under at the start of the year.

Photo Credit: BCCI

The highly anticipated return of Sophie Ecclestone started with a playful attempt to trip up Alice Capsey, a misfield off the first ball of the game, a six from her first delivery and ultimately 19 from her first over; an unideal start to say the least. However, an ounce of redemption was not too far away as Ecclestone, poised at mid-off, took the catch off the Em Arlott’s bowling to dismiss Shafali Verma, the much needed breakthrough.

India were always going to be the real test this summer with a depleted West Indies proving no competition for Charlotte Edwards’ England. Even without captain and top order batter Harmanpreet Kaur, who was sidelined with a head injury, India dominated with the bat.

Smriti Mandhana stole the show with an emphatic century from just 51 balls, her maiden IT20 100. The opener dismantled England’s bowling attack, confidently taking on the variety of spin and seam options on offer.

Harleen Deol played second fiddle adding 43 from 23 balls, a side of her game positively developing. After scoring a century in a warmup game against an England XI, Deol will be a batter this side will keep a close eye on moving into the ODI series.

In typical England fashion, impact came too late. With India pushing towards 200, the side lost three wickets for 16 runs, Lauren Bell finishing her spell with figures of 3/27. Despite fielding restrictions in the final two overs, a consequence of England’s slow over rate, India were much more tentative than previous overs.

210 was the total for the visitors, their second highest IT20 score and a mammoth task for England. It quickly became familiar territory for England, finding themselves four wickets down just after the powerplay. With the openers failing and Beaumont and Jones dismissed at their home ground, the run chase rested on Nat Sciver-Brunt and Capsey.

Debutant, 20-year-old Shree Charani, ensured England’s very long tail was deployed in the 9th over, further damage in an already difficult run chase. Charani was India’s star with the ball taking 4/12 with the strong away support chanting her name.

On the other hand, England fans were quick to disperse having just watched their side easily outclassed, India winning by 97 runs. With the IT20 series made up of five matches, England have ample opportunity to redeem the disaster witnessed today.